The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Becomes a Disciple of Yue Buqun - Page 489
"I don't know who has such a deep hatred for Yanling that he wants to burn him alive."
Zhu Houzhao comforted her, "Don't be too sad, mother. It was expected that the Marquis of Jianchang would end up like this. He usually oppressed the people, occupied their fertile land, and raped their daughters. The people have long been resentful of him."
"He is your uncle after all. Aren't you sad at all when he died?"
Empress Dowager Zhang was angry.
Zhu Houzhao said: "It's not that my son is not sad, but the Marquis of Jianchang has done many evil things on a daily basis..."
"Alright! I don't want to hear any more, get out!"
The more Empress Dowager Zhang listened, the angrier she became. She simply didn't want to listen anymore and ordered Zhu Houzhao to expel him.
Zhu Houzhao stood up and prepared to leave, but before he left, Empress Dowager Zhang spoke again.
"Your uncle, the Marquis of Shouning, recently built a large mansion and is in need of craftsmen and money. When did you finish this for him?"
Zhu Houzhao frowned: "What does his lack of money have to do with me?"
"You are his nephew, shouldn't you help him a little?"
Zhu Houzhao said directly: "The court has no money to give him, and no craftsmen to transfer."
"Then send troops to build it."
"The army is for fighting wars, why are they supposed to build houses?"
"Is there something wrong? Wasn't it like this when your father was alive?"
"I……"
"Okay, this matter is settled."
Faced with Empress Dowager Zhang's tyranny, Zhu Houzhao was very angry, but helpless.
After all, she was still his mother, and legally she was the empress dowager. He really had no way to deal with Empress Dowager Zhang.
The longer he stayed in this position, the more Zhu Houzhao could understand the pressure that Emperor Hongzhi had felt at that time, especially when Empress Dowager Zhou was still alive. Faced with his grandmother who controlled the harem, Emperor Hongzhi had no power to resist. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Zhou had passed away in the 17th year of Hongzhi's reign, otherwise he might have been suppressed like his father.
"Son will not disturb mother anymore."
Zhu Houzhao said something and turned and left.
This time, Empress Dowager Zhang didn't even respond. She closed her eyes as if she didn't hear anything.
The mother and son parted unhappily again.
Chapter 551: On Fu
……
Liu Jin escorted Jiang Ning out of the palace and was very attentive along the way. If it weren't for the servant sent by Chen Qingyuan waiting for Jiang Ning, he would have been ready to send Jiang Ning directly back to Chen Qingyuan's residence.
It was already dark when Jiang Ning returned to Chen's house. Linghu Chong had been waiting for half a day, but Chen Qingyuan was still in the Ministry of Revenue. The affairs of the Ministry of Revenue were very busy, and Chen Qingyuan often came back very late.
When Linghu Chong learned that Jiang Ning had returned, he went to find Jiang Ning.
"Junior brother, what took you so long?"
Linghu Chong was not worried that Jiang Ning was in danger, but was curious.
"Who is your friend? Why are you so secretive? I asked Minister Chen but he wouldn't tell me. Is your friend's identity so special?"
Jiang Ning smiled and said, "It is indeed a bit special."
Linghu Chong was surprised and asked, "Could he be some prince's son?"
“It’s a little higher than this.”
Linghu Chong was stunned for a moment and did not ask any more questions.
"How long do you plan to stay in the capital?"
Jiang Ning said: "It should be just a few days."
Linghu Chong nodded, then winked at Jiang Ning and laughed.
Jiang Ning was puzzled: "What's wrong?"
Linghu Chong smiled mysteriously: "When you were away, Miss Chen kept looking for me to ask about you."
Jiang Ning was stunned for a moment, then laughed, shook his head and left.
The next day.
Zhu Houzhao sent someone to invite Jiangning again, and the person he sent was Liu Jin again.
Liu Jin was still the same as he was yesterday, even more attentive to Jiang Ning than yesterday, his face was full of smiles.
However, Jiang Ning did not enter the palace this time, but was in a courtyard outside the palace.
"Brother Jiang, please take a seat."
Zhu Houzhao was sitting in the yard. When he saw Jiang Ning coming, he warmly invited Jiang Ning to sit down.
Jiang Ning was a little confused as to why Zhu Houzhao wanted to meet him here. Before he could ask, Zhu Houzhao said, "Brother Jiang, there are many eyes in the palace, so it's not convenient to meet, so let's meet here."
Listening to Zhu Houzhao's words, Jiang Ning thought of what happened before he left yesterday. He already had the answer in his mind and nodded.
After he sat down, Zhu Houzhao began to talk impatiently about what he was going to do in the future.
Since the conversation yesterday, Zhu Houzhao has regarded Jiang Ning as a close friend and a like-minded fellow traveler, so when he saw Jiang Ning, he couldn't help but talk about his ambitions.
"Brother Jiang, I'm ready..."
Zhu Houzhao wanted to pick up the ancestral system left by Zhu Yuanzhang and put shackles on the necks of Ming Dynasty officials again. Officials who embezzled more than 60 taels would be skinned and stuffed with straw. In addition, Zhu Houzhao also wanted to implement an inspection system, which was tantamount to killing those civil servants who had become lazy and greedy during the Hongzhi period. Zhu Houzhao also reorganized the military camp and took back the military power from the civil service group.
Listening to Zhu Houzhao's words one by one, Jiang Ning couldn't help but frown.
Since ancient times, political struggles have been the most dangerous. In addition to open and covert struggles, one must also guard against assassinations from all sides. Zhu Houzhao has only ascended the throne not long ago, and it is very difficult for him to do these things. The best outcome is to become a puppet. I am afraid that there is a high probability that he will accidentally fall into the water and die one day.
Jiang Ning then reminded Zhu Houzhao a few words.
"I know."
Zhu Houzhao nodded.
He knew that doing this was very dangerous and also understood how great the resistance would be, so he was very cautious. He planned to take back the military power first and then proceed slowly.
After Zhu Houzhao expressed his ideas, he began to discuss with Jiang Ning, and they were all discussing some institutional issues.
Since he knew Zhu Houzhao's ideals and ideas, Jiang Ning expressed some of his thoughts.
With every word Jiang Ning spoke, Zhu Houzhao's eyes brightened.
"Sure enough, what Brother Jiang said coincides with what I said."
Zhu Houzhao said.
"In fact, I have long known that the people of our Ming Dynasty can no longer afford the taxes. A thorough reform is necessary to revitalize the Ming Dynasty."
Jiang Ning was talking about issues related to taxation.
He had traveled to many places over the years and naturally knew that the common people had to bear taxes that they should not have to bear. Their land had been swallowed up and acquired by officials and gentry, but the taxes had not been reduced at all, and there were even various miscellaneous taxes. Their land had to support the entire official and gentry group of the Ming Dynasty, so Jiang Ning proposed to change the tax system.
In fact, Zhu Houzhao already had the rough idea of what Jiang Ning said in his mind, but after Jiang Ning's narration, Zhu Houzhao's idea was gradually improved.
Zhu Houzhao was very excited. He was excited that Jiang Ning thought the same as he did, but he was even more surprised. He was surprised that Jiang Ning, as a man of the world, actually had such vision and pattern.
In fact, Jiang Ning didn't say much today. He just talked about some tax issues briefly, but it was enough to surprise Zhu Houzhao.
Then Jiang Ning and Zhu Houzhao talked a little more. It was already noon, but Zhu Houzhao still had no intention of returning to the palace. Instead, he looked at Jiang Ning with a serious expression.
"Brother Jiang, can I learn what you did yesterday?"
Jiang Ning was surprised: "Which one?"
Zhu Houzhao's eyes were bright and he was gesticulating with his hands.
"Just like you did yesterday, you swung your sword and a beam of white light flew out with great power! What is that? I want to learn it!"
Jiang Ning asked tentatively: "Sword energy?"
Zhu Houzhao nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, I want to learn that!"
Jiang Ning couldn't help laughing.
"I'm afraid this is a bit difficult."
Zhu Houzhao frowned when he heard this: "How difficult is it?"
Jiang Ning briefly explained that sword energy requires internal force to be released, and that ordinary sword energy is not that powerful.
Zhu Houzhao listened solemnly and asked a question: "Brother Jiang, if I start practicing now, when do you think I can reach your level?"
Jiang Ning laughed and said, "Probably several decades."
When Zhu Houzhao heard that he would have to practice for decades, he looked disappointed, but he did not give up. He said, "Brother Jiang, since your martial arts are so high, I also want to learn your martial arts to strengthen my body. Can you teach me some?"
Jiang Ning nodded: "It's no problem to keep fit."
After getting the promise, Zhu Houzhao smiled with excitement on his face.
Zhu Houzhao was impatient and couldn't wait to practice martial arts. Jiang Ning was not surprised and immediately taught him some basic physical training skills of the Huashan School. It was already afternoon when Zhu Houzhao finished learning.
"Brother Jiang, the martial arts you taught me are indeed much more unique. I also found some books in the palace, but they were not very good. What you taught me is still better."
Zhu Houzhao said excitedly.
Jiang Ning smiled and said nothing, but he was indeed a little surprised.
Although Zhu Houzhao was past the age for practicing martial arts, it could be seen that he had a good foundation. He was not tired after practicing a set of Huashan basic physical training exercises. This meant that he had a foundation in martial arts, but that was all. It was impossible for him to become a master, but he had no problem keeping fit.
Zhu Houzhao looked excited and said to Jiang Ning, "Brother Jiang, since you taught me martial arts, shall I take you as my master?"
Jiang Ning was surprised and then shook his head.
"These are the basic skills of Huashan. They are nothing. There is no need to become my disciple."
It is indeed a gimmick to take the emperor as an apprentice, but after thinking about it, I decided not to do it.
Seeing Jiang Ning's refusal, Zhu Houzhao was not discouraged, but said.
"Since you, Brother Jiang, are unwilling to accept me as your disciple, how about we call each other brothers from today on?"