Turn the time back to the end of September of the fifteenth year of Wanli.

Because of the arrival of a cold snap, the city of Beijing has become more and more autumnal, when the bleak autumn wind blows, the withered yellow leaves are flying all over the sky, bringing people a strong sense of sorrow.

Heaven and earth are selfless, the autumn wind is ruthless, even if it is the palace inside, it does not discriminate, the cold and cold wind blows from the empty square, blowing into the side hall with the door wide open, so that the few attendants who are not wearing much clothes shiver unconsciously.

But even so, none of the more than a dozen attendants dared to make a sound, and they could only hold back their coughs, let alone cover the palace gate in the past. Because they were afraid that any movement would attract the attention of the Son of Heaven who looked so gloomy that he could drip water, they didn't dare to touch this moldy head.

With the continuous growth of years, coupled with the continuous struggle with the officials of the DPRK and China, the imperial spirit of Wanli has gradually become stronger. Not to mention these low-status eunuchs, even ordinary courtiers will feel apprehensive when they meet him.

And now his depressed appearance that he may explode at any time because of a trivial matter made the attendants around him feel even more frightened, and they did not dare to make the slightest mistake, lest their lives be in danger.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for the savior to arrive, and an attendant guarding the outside of the hall walked in cautiously: "Your Majesty, Yang Dudu, the Jinyi Guard, is outside to ask to see." ”

Wanli's originally frowning appearance finally relaxed a little, raised his gaze from the note in front of him, and said softly: "Xuan He came in to speak." ”

"Huh" Many people breathed a sigh of relief, and now only a person like Yang Dudu, who is deeply trusted by the Son ......of Heaven, can eliminate his anger.

After a while, Yang Zhen walked into the side hall, but his face also looked a little heavy: "Minister Yang Zhen to see Your Majesty." ”

Yang Qing got up and replied. Go down, all of you, and wait no more before you. The emperor waved his hand.

As if they had been pardoned, the chamberlains hurriedly agreed, and withdrew cautiously and silently, and at last the man helped them close the door of the temple. In the past, Yang Zhen had not talked with the Son of Heaven alone, and these people had long been accustomed to the process.

After getting up and looking at Wanli a few times, Yang Zhen sighed: "Your Majesty, it is really unfortunate that the minister is right?" ”

Wanli was obviously stunned for a moment, and then he showed a wry smile: "It's that I'm too self-righteous and take it for granted...... I didn't expect those courtiers to be so persistent and decisive in this matter, and now I really don't know how to end it. Yang Qing, you must help me in this matter! ”

Looking at the other party's eyes asking for help, Yang Zhen was in a trance. Since helping the emperor overthrow Zhang Juzheng, although the relationship between the monarch and the ministers is still close, there is no longer the situation where the king constantly asks for help from his subordinates in the past. Even if Wanli would encounter some troubles and difficulties from time to time, he rarely used this completely helpless look and tone to talk to Yang Zhen.

But in addition to sighing, Yang Zhen scratched his head again, this time the matter was really difficult to handle. Because this matter is related to the foundation and future of the entire Ming Dynasty - because this matter is talking about the issue of Lichu!

Just half a month ago, seeing that he had gained the upper hand in the matter of commercial taxes, and the ministers could only bow their heads and listen to the order, Wanli was suddenly full of pride, and felt that there was nothing in the world that he could not do. Young people are always like this, as long as they have some achievements, they will start to look at everything and not take anyone seriously.

And when Wanli had such a thought, he thought about doing what he had failed to do before-make his favorite prince Zhu Changxun the prince!

This is not only Wanli's thoughts, but also Zheng Guifei's heart disease, which has always been in Zi. As an idealistic and ambitious woman, of course she hopes that the son she gave birth to can become the successor of this empire.

However, the law of the imperial court was disagreed by the ministers because Zhu Changxun was not a long and non-descendant, which made Zheng Guifei not worry about it all these years, but she was helpless.

It was not until this time that the Son of Heaven exerted his might on the matter of commercial taxes and made the ministers compromise, and Concubine Zheng Guifei felt that there was a play, so she hurriedly blew a pillow wind that was no less than a typhoon.

Wanli, who already had this thought, was encouraged by this woman, so he immediately took action. Fortunately, he was still cautious, and at the beginning he only made a slight temptation, and only let a certain official ask Zhu Changxun to be the crown prince - as the Son of Heaven, Wanli naturally has a few courtiers in the court who are willing to work hard for him.

When this piece of music appeared, it was like pouring a scoop of boiling oil into a pot of boiling water, and the entire court suddenly exploded, and there was a lot of discussion and opposition for a while.

Even Yang Zhen, who didn't pay much attention to the court, was shocked, and hurriedly ran into the palace to persuade him. At this moment, he still remembers the conversation between the two monarchs and ministers and the scene at that time-

"Your Majesty, you are also too careful, acting so recklessly will not only not help, but will only bring extremely adverse effects to the noble concubine and His Royal Highness." After Yang Zhen saw the Son of Heaven, he said very directly.

These words made Wanli's expression change suddenly, and his already unhappy mood because he was opposed by his subordinates became even worse - even if others refused to obey their fate, why did you, my closest confidant, start to sing against me?

After being silent for a while, Wanli said in a somewhat calm tone: "Why, even Yang Qing, do you think that Chang Xun can only be a vassal king?" But I remember very well, a few years ago, you said that you supported me to make him his heir. ”

Feeling the dissatisfaction from the Son of Heaven, Yang Zhen smiled bitterly, but he still patiently gave his meaning: "Your Majesty, the minister didn't say that Prince Chang Xun couldn't be the crown prince, but that it was quite inappropriate to make him the prince so directly, and it should be considered in the long run." ”

"Think long-term? This matter has been dragging on for many years, and every year I receive a message from my subordinates asking me to make the eldest son of the emperor the crown prince, how do you think I can think about it in the long run? The Emperor asked angrily.

These words really knocked Yang Zhen down, in fact, he also felt powerless about it. Because historically, after decades of struggle, in the end Wanli still lost. And because of this, he also took advantage of Daming's luck and his own reputation, why bother?

And at present, it is obvious that Wanli is going to take this road again. This made Yang Zhen helpless for a while, could it be that everything he had worked hard had to be in vain because of the emperor's insistence?

But Yang Zhen is not a person who will give up casually, so he quickly adjusted his mentality and said: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that if this matter is done, there must be a gradual process, and you can't be in a hurry. We can make them kings first, and then let the courtiers know which one is more suitable to succeed to the throne through the respective performances of the two princes, and after a few years, it is not too late to mention the canonization of the crown prince. ”

What Yang Zhen said made a lot of sense, even the emperor didn't feel a little moved. Of course, this is why Yang Dudu has such a face and persuasiveness, if he changes to someone else, the emperor will not be in the mood to listen to such methods at all.

But soon, he frowned again: "In this case, how should I end this time?" "Yes, the questions have been thrown, wouldn't it be shameless to stop him as the Son of Heaven at this time? Also, what about the official who was sparse at his behest? Once the Son of Heaven retreats, he will completely become a rat crossing the street, and he will have to be shouted and beaten by hundreds of officials.

"The temporary concession is only for the ultimate success, and Your Majesty should have a choice. As for the official who was sparse, he could only be wronged first. Yang Zhen's answer was very resolute.

If it had been a few months ago, Wanli would have accepted this step-by-step suggestion. But now, because of the previous success, Wanli didn't feel a little arrogant and fluttering. Let him feel that as long as he is strong enough, those courtiers will eventually surrender in front of him, so why bother to think of a way for a long time? Now it's time to take advantage of the victory and chase after it, and settle the matter.

So soon, the Son of Heaven shook his head and said, "Your method is too conservative, I don't want to use it." I intend to make my attitude clear and let my ministers obey my orders. ”

Well, so much of what I said was in vain. But after Yang Zhen looked at the solemn eyes of the Son of Heaven, he knew that the other party had made up his mind, and it was not something he could change, so he had to sigh and stop persuading.

He knew very well what kind of opposition Wanli would encounter next. After all, the Ming Dynasty is different from the Braided Dynasty, the emperor at that time was really a dictator, and which son to be the crown prince was just a matter of the emperor's words, and those courtiers who thought they were slaves did not dare to express any opinion on it at all. Especially after Emperor Mazi, this glorious tradition was preserved to the end, otherwise the courtiers would have bad intentions, and I am afraid that they would not even be able to save their lives.

In their opinion, such a thing as the prince is not only the emperor's family affair, but also a state affair, which is related to every official in the court!

It's a pity that today's Wanli has been carried away by the previous victory, and he didn't think that he would lose at all, so he resolutely and resolutely revealed his thoughts at the court meeting two days later, and bluntly said that the official who was sparse was a model of public loyalty to the country!

At this moment, it can be regarded as a complete stab at the hornet's nest.

Originally, the ministers were angry because of the previous business and tax matters, and now that the emperor suddenly said such a remark, they naturally would not let go of the opportunity to fight back, and for a time the voice of criticism filled the government and the opposition, and countless officials opposed the Son of Heaven Zhu Changxun under various excuses, and many people threatened to resign to make the Son of Heaven change his mind......