The Ming Dynasty started with caution

The jade seal passed down to the country was recovered, and the palace was filled with joy for several days, especially when Qin Tianjian gave a celestial prediction that the jade seal would return to the country and bring prosperity to the country.

Yan Chengjin said that he was unable to complain, but Qin Tianjian was really capable of bragging.

During the past two nights, he used the Song Astronomical Telescope in the yard and saw a few meteors, but there was nothing unusual about them.

But Qin Tianjian is the messenger between heaven and the emperor.

Whatever decree God has issued needs to be interpreted by Qin Tianjian.

Because of his dark background and childhood, Emperor Hongzhi was not very confident, just like a poor boy who suddenly got a huge amount of wealth. Even if his wealth increased, he would still feel inferior.

Yan Chengjin sent the imperial seal back to the palace to convince his majesty that it was true. He wanted Emperor Hongzhi to rely on it and ensure that his throne was legitimate.

In this way, even if hundreds of officials obstructed the reform, Emperor Hongzhi would be confident.

…

Early June,

Early in the morning, after Yan Chengjin got up and washed up, he looked at his morning exercise schedule.

Today's morning exercise is fencing.

How could he be his opponent? The craftsman made Yan Chengjin a fine chainmail armor. It was a bit heavy to wear, but it was still within his physical strength.

He had just started practicing a few moves, but He Neng was stabbed seven or eight times and was chased all over the courtyard. He quickly begged for mercy: "Young master is very powerful, I can't beat the younger one."

He was wearing cowhide protective gear, and the sword he was using was a blunt sword.

The sting doesn't hurt, but hitting the body hurts like a sap.

Yan Chengjin threw away the sword in dissatisfaction: "Humph, you are a novice. How can I learn real swordsmanship from you? How can I find a swordsman to learn from you?"

In order to prevent His Majesty from knowing that he is in good health, he cannot hire a swordsman to serve as a sparring partner in an open and honest manner.

He could only rely on He Neng to become his apprentice, and then he would use He Neng as his sparring partner.

He can fight better than He Neng, and he can be regarded as knowing a few moves. When encountering thieves, he can also stab them unprepared.

He Neng's face was full of grievances. The young master has been practicing swordsmanship for three years. He is proficient in the six skills of a gentleman and is proficient in the three skills. The master he had in the capital was not as good as the young master.

Yan Chengjin said to Chunxiao: "Help me take off my clothes and change into court clothes."

Qianqing Palace,

Emperor Hongzhi was in a very good mood, which greatly reduced the pressure of the eunuchs and maids serving him. Empress Zhang slowly walked into the palace: "Let me dress your majesty."

The maid wisely withdrew and Empress Zhang took over the dragon robe. Emperor Hongzhi smiled as if he was enjoying it and assumed a familiar posture.

When he was the prince, the late emperor gave him very few slaves in the East Palace, and Empress Zhang always dressed him.

Therefore, Queen Zhang was very skillful in wearing the dragon robe: "Your Majesty seems very happy today."

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and responded: "Yes, the Yanqing family helped me find the jade seal, and the queen is pregnant again.

Qin Tianjian said that this was a sign of prosperity. "

He turned to look at Queen Zhang. The couple had lived together for more than ten years and knew each other well.

Looking at Queen Zhang's forced smile, one knows that she has something on her mind.

"It's still early to go to court. If you have anything to do with the queen, you might as well tell me."

Empress Zhang showed a sad face: "The Queen Mother mentioned the longevity king again yesterday. She doesn't think about food and tea. I am afraid of the Queen Mother's body..."

Everyone in the harem knows that they are the two most beloved grandchildren of the Queen Mother.

One is Emperor Hongzhi and the other is King Shou.

King Shou's mother, Concubine An, was not favored by the previous dynasty. Empress Dowager Zhou took pity on her and asked her to come to the palace to accompany her. King Shou also had the opportunity to get close to Queen Mother Zhou.

This little guy is so exciting that he pleases the Queen Mother very much.

Emperor Hongzhi muttered: "If King Shou comes to the capital, other vassal kings will also take the opportunity to ask for permission to come to the capital. The court has been very lucky recently. I got the imperial seal, the queen is pregnant, and the queen mother's birthday is coming. Why not take this opportunity to give me a gift?" Let’s have a birthday party for the Queen Mother.

The concubines and wives of each vassal are allowed to enter the palace to celebrate their birthdays. This will make it more lively and the Queen Mother can also see Princess Shou. I will go to court soon and order the Ministry of Etiquette to take care of it. "

Empress Zhang nodded. The palace was deserted. The Empress Dowager would only look at things and miss people when she was too lonely. If she fell ill, it would make His Majesty even more worried.

Early morning,

Emperor Hongzhi was sitting on his throne, reporting urgent matters from various ministries.

The team at the Metropolitan Procuratorate was very quiet. Wu Kuan had nothing to report, but he didn't want the Metropolitan Procuratorate to have no business.

"I saw that you were reading Hainan's memorial yesterday. Do you have anything to report?"

Yan Chengjin stood by the pillar and glanced at Wu Kuan: "I'm just taking a look."

Wu Kuan was quite polite to him these days, but this was only superficial. Yan Chengjin knew that Wu Kuan still resented him for letting Wu Huan draw comics.

The continuation of Wu Huan's Hu Zhai comic sold for a high price at the official sale, two hundred taels of silver.

There are booksellers who take rubbings and sell them.

This kid is obsessed with comics and can't help himself. Wu Kuan is a top scholar, how can he tolerate it? Moreover, he is an upright and stingy person, so he will have to cause trouble for him when the time comes.

In a stunned moment, the court affairs had been discussed, and Emperor Hongzhi changed the topic: "I have to pass on the imperial seal, and the queen is happy to have my flesh and blood.

I have always wanted to hold a Jiao Zhai to comfort the world.

However, the Queen Mother's birthday is approaching, so let's change the Jiao Zhai into a birthday banquet. I want to organize a birthday banquet for the Queen Mother. Do you have any money in the household department? "

Han Wen, the Minister of Household Affairs, looked troubled: "It's enough to support the army of the Nine Borders. If we want to hold a birthday banquet, the army's salary..."

I heard that the silver from the military salary was used to organize the birthday banquet.

Liu Jian was the first to ask for permission, followed by several officials who seconded the proposal.

At this moment, a voice sounded: "Your Majesty, I promise to sell 30% of the silver to your Majesty's officials, a total of fifty thousand taels of silver. After the settlement, I will order someone to send it to the palace."

The promise to give Emperor Hongzhi 30% was actually calculated.

The court has not yet set the tax for the auction. As long as the court does not set the tax, the official sale is simply a cash cow.

Emperor Hongzhi was very pleased: "Yan Qing's family is honest and upright, I have forgotten it. Be frugal and take 10,000 taels to hold the birthday banquet, and the rest will be filled into the national treasury."

Liu Jian and others thought that His Majesty would use all the silver for the Queen Mother's birthday banquet.

Who knew that His Majesty was still so frugal.

Everyone was overjoyed and knelt down: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Hongzhi continued: "This birthday banquet, the princesses of the vassal states are allowed to come to Beijing to celebrate the birthday. The Ministry of Rites will organize it. Don't save money within the scope of 10,000 taels."

The officials were a little confused, fortunately they were not working in the Ministry of Rites.

Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, gritted his teeth and bowed, saying: "I obey your order!"

After the court,

Yan Chengjin fell into thinking. The gifts given by the vassal kings must be rare treasures. What should he give to stand out?

Last time he treated the Queen Mother, she said a word and he was promoted.

Yan Chengjin had a great liking for the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn't refuse the Empress Dowager's face.

It was just that officials were not allowed to enter the harem, and there were very few opportunities to see the Empress Dowager on weekdays.

This birthday celebration was a great opportunity, and maybe he would be promoted.

After returning to the duty room, he thought about it and drew a sketch on a piece of white paper.

After the duty, Yan Chengjin got on the sedan chair and went to Song Jing's mansion.

"Master, this is the mansion that Changning Bo sold to Lord Song. It's better than our old mansion."

Yan Chengjin walked into the Song Mansion. This is a courtyard with two entrances and two exits. It is located in Xicheng District, close to the Meridian Gate. It is relatively shabby, and the doorposts of the main hall are cracked.

For such a courtyard, selling it for three thousand taels is already a sky-high price.

Zhou Yu took two thousand taels more.

When he entered the door, he saw a woman hanging clothes. When she saw Yan Chengjin, she hurried over and said, "You are Lord Yan, looking for my husband?"

Is this Song Jing's wife?

She is pretty and looks very capable. She must have done a lot of farm work in her hometown.

Yan Chengjin nodded.

The woman invited him into the main hall. At this time, Song Jing was studying in the main hall. The Hanyuan University Scholar asked him to help edit the Ming Dynasty Code.

When he saw Yan Chengjin, he stood up quickly: "Master Yan, please sit down!"

Yan Chengjin looked around and saw the worn wooden tables and chairs. He said: "Why are there no servants?"

"I still owe two thousand taels of silver. Madam has dismissed the two servants." Song Jing said embarrassedly.

Yan Chengjin glanced at him and said, "Do you know that there is a rule in the Ming Dynasty law that a top scholar like you should have a quota of servants in the mansion?"

Song Jing was ashamed. He devoted himself to science and rarely cared about the affairs of the court, let alone the Ming Dynasty law: "Student doesn't know."

Yan Chengjin waved his hand: "I came here today and want you to find a craftsman to make something. When it is done, give it to twenty servants."

Whether Song Jing can make a big splash and please the queen mother depends on how well he does.

Song Jing said ashamedly: "It's enough to meet the quota. Too many students can't be supported."