A steaming hot pot, a plate of fresh mutton that was as thin as a cicada's wing, and a few side dishes. What could be more suitable than this in the harsh winter?
He picked up the sliced mutton and placed it in boiling water. Then, he added the sauce that the imperial chef had carefully prepared. Instantly, the deliciousness of the mutton was raised to the extreme and spread in his mouth!
At this moment, in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Emperor Zhu Jianyi was enjoying mutton hotpot with Empress Wang and Zhu Jingkun.
Although it was often said that one should not speak when eating, for a foodie empire with a food culture of more than a thousand years, the word "eat" had long penetrated into the daily life of every Ming Dynasty person. What could be better than a meal to start a conversation?
"Son, what books have you been reading recently?”Zhu Jianyi smiled and asked Zhu Jingkun, who was eating until his face was red.
When Zhu Jingkun heard this, he raised his head and swallowed the food in his mouth."Father, I have finished reading the Analects of Confucius, and now the Headmaster wants me to read the Spring and Autumn Ram!”
When the Empress heard this, she said proudly," Kun 'er is talented and intelligent. No matter what he reads, he can never forget it. Teacher Yang has already praised Guo Kun' er several times in front of BenGong."”
"Really? Mother, but Mister Yang is so fierce! My son was only distracted for a while reading, and Teacher hit my palm with the ferule.”
Hearing Zhu Jingkun's grievances, Zhu Jianyi smiled and said,"My son! Do you know that back then, Imperial Father was taught by Mister Yang? I didn't expect that after so many years, Teacher is still the same as before. Therefore, my son, you must study hard. Listening to your teacher will be beneficial for you in the future.”
"Really? Mister Yang had also taught his father that his son must study hard and not make Mister angry.”
When Empress Wang heard Zhu Jingkun's words, she immediately said with relief,"Yes! Kun 'er is really sensible. Come and eat more mutton. That way, you'll grow faster.”
After another cup of warm wine entered his stomach, Zhu Jianyi exhaled a breath of alcohol and immediately felt a little drunk. Looking at his wife who was putting the hot mutton into Zhu Jingkun's bowl, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
"Oh, right, Kun 'er." Is there anything you don't understand after reading?”
"Yes, Gongyang said,'Can the revenge of nine generations be avenged?'Confucius said,'The kingly way is restored to the ancients, and the king is respected. The revenge of ten lifetimes can still be avenged! Your son doesn't understand why Confucius, who advised people to be good and convinced people with virtue, would say this? I asked the Headmaster, but the Headmaster said that I would understand it when I truly understood the meaning of benevolence.”
Seeing the thirst for knowledge in Zhu Jingkun's eyes, Zhu Jianyi didn't answer directly but asked,"My son, let me ask you, what do you think of benevolence?”
"Oh, Imperial Father, your son has read the Analects of Confucius and understands that Confucius 'benevolence is nothing more than persuading people to speak kindly, do well, and be kind. That is to say, you must speak in a friendly manner, be sincere to others, and not have the heart to harm others! Is Imperial Father Yu 'er right?" Zhu Jingkun lowered his head and pondered.
Zhu Jianyi couldn't help but feel gratified." Not only is my son memorizing, but he's also very good at giving such an explanation." But what you said is only built in an environment where there are only good people. If there is a heinous person, do you want to treat him with benevolence?”
"Of course not. Otherwise, what's the point of the country having police officers?”
"Haha, right! One could not blindly indulge those who committed crimes. Otherwise, why would the Vajra who guarded the Buddhist land not have a benevolent look like a Bodhisattva or Buddha, but look like a fiendish fiend! However, evil people should also be punished with justice. If they only vented their personal anger, what difference was there between them and villains? And this justice was also benevolence! This was true for individuals, but it was a different story for a country.”
After saying that, Tian Zi picked up his wine cup and downed it in one gulp. He looked at Zhu Jingkun, who seemed to have understood something, and said with a smile,"My son, you have to think about this when you go back. The word 'benevolence' contains the thousand-year-old principle of China. You can't just look at it from one side!”
For a moment, Zhu Jingkun stood up and solemnly bowed to his father, the Emperor, and said,""Thank you Imperial Father for clearing up this son's doubts. This son will not let Imperial Father down.”
After lunch, Zhu Jianyi returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to deal with government affairs. At this time, the commander of the Brocade Guard, Li Youxi, came to the emperor and bowed."I, Li Youxi, pay my respects to the Emperor.”
"You're here. How did it go?”Zhu Jianyi said as he looked down at the memorial.
Li Youxi took out a yellow memorial and handed it to Zhu Jianyi."Your Majesty, this general has carefully chosen this. Be it in family background, character, or aptitude, he is one in a million. Please take a look.”
Zhu Jianyi then raised his head to take the memorial and opened it."Dawnstar? Whose young master is this? I've never heard of him before.”
Hearing the Emperor's doubts, Li Youxi explained,""Your Majesty, the Li Clan is just an ordinary Humble Class disciple in the capital. Compared to those noble families in the Great Ming Dynasty, it was indeed not enough. However, this Li family had a Saint Child, Li Xingke. At the age of seven, he had obtained the qualifications to become a student of the Ying Tian Prefecture and had also learned good martial arts. It was said that even an ordinary adult man could not suppress him. It could be said that he was both civil and martial!”
"Oh, if it's really as my beloved minister said, then zhen can rest assured. Pass on my oral order: summon this person to be the prince's study companion, in the spring visit together to accept Yang Lao's teaching.”Zhu Jianyi closed the memorial and instructed Li Yi.
"I accept your orders."
After memorizing the Emperor's words, Li Youxi hesitated for a moment before continuing,""Your Majesty, there's something else that concerns today's morning court session.”
Looking up at Li Yi, Zhu Jianyi said coldly,"Those people are making a move?"
At this moment, Li Youxi could clearly feel the unconcealed killing intent in the Emperor's tone, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. He could not help but lower his head and say,""Yes, after the court ended this morning, I found out that the eunuchs had frequent contact with the wealthy and noble families.”
"Is it? Which families did they contact?”
" Your Majesty, there are…" As Li Youxi reported the list to the emperor, Zhu Jianyi's expression turned uglier and uglier. He took a light breath and forcefully suppressed the killing intent in his heart. He sneered and said,"Good, good. All of them. Commander Li, you must strictly monitor their every move.”
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Embroidered Uniform Guards will record any actions of these people.”
"That's good. By the way, have you found out the whereabouts of that batch of gold?”Tian Zi remembered the gold that was brought back from the East Continent four years ago and asked.
Li Yi was also prepared and said,[It's all been investigated. Five days after the gold was sent to the national treasury, it was secretly transported out of the Forbidden City.] The scouts reported that 800,000 of the 1.5 million kilograms of gold had gone into the eunuch's pocket. The remaining 700,000 had either fallen into the hands of the eunuchs or been sent to the residences of various aristocratic families. The Jinyiwei had already recorded the names of these people. As long as His Majesty gave the order, none of these people would be able to escape!”
The central air-conditioning in the main hall kept heating up the room, but Li Youxi was still feeling cold. After listening to his narration, the Emperor fell silent. The oppressive atmosphere made Li Yi unable to breathe. After a long while, Zhu Jianyi finally spoke,"He really took it thoroughly!" It seemed that the national treasury had almost been moved by them. No wonder that old dog Wang Weixin had said such a ridiculous theory in the court meeting. Haha! Very good, we don't need to touch them for the time being. I still have a use for their lives. Alright, you can leave first!"
"I will take my leave."
As Li Youxi left the Qianqing Temple, Zhu Jianyi lowered his head and looked at the memorial on the table. After a long time, he muttered,""My son, father will definitely clean the dust and give you a beautiful river and mountain.”
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