Chapter 106 Golden Palace

"Strange, the morning court can only be attended by officials of the six ministries and the nine ministers. What does Your Majesty want our Jinyiwei to participate?" Li Jinglong frowned and touched his chin.

The Jinyiwei was originally the emperor's private spy agency and was only responsible to the emperor. Therefore, excluding the officials of the six ministries, according to regulations, the Jinyiwei officials were not qualified to attend court.

Xiao Fan also fell into deep thought: "Something must have happened..."

As he was speaking, a family of rich families hurriedly walked in and put a written report on Li Jinglong's desk.

Li Jinglong picked it up and looked at it, then sneered a few times, and then handed it to Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan glanced at him twice, looked up and said in surprise: "You guys are making trouble?"

Li Jinglong sneered: "A group of sour scholars gathered in the yamen of the Ministry of Rites while they were idle and had a big fuss. The constables and yamen runners of Yingtian Mansion have rushed to surround them. I asked me to tell you that for these unscrupulous scholars, you should kill one to warn hundreds and kill a few more of them, and see who dares to make trouble!"

As he said that, Li Jinglong turned his head and looked at Xiao Fan and said, "Would our Jinyiwei send hundreds of people to see it? After all, this is the Emperor's Imperial City. If these scholars come crazy, they might make things worse. If Your Majesty blames you at that time, our Jinyiwei will also take responsibility, right?"

Xiao Fan hurriedly said, "Sir, this is inappropriate."

“Why?”

"Sir, Your Majesty valued scholars when he was founded and treated them with courtesy. Today, we have no order from His Majesty. If we go out to monitor it rashly, it will be even worse. We are all rough people who have never read any books. When the temper comes, we beat and scold scholars. Your Majesty may be unhappy. At that time, we will be punished and blamed..."

Li Jinglong thought about it, gasped, and said with gratitude: "Thanks to your reminder, this matter is really possible. Anyway, we don't get the will of His Majesty. Even if those gangs set fire to the Ministry of Rites, it's not our business, right? We can't be as humble as scholars, and we'll get up and get slapped by ourselves..."

The Ministry of Rites is just outside Jinshui Bridge, not far from the Jinyiwei Fushiyao. If there is any abnormal movement, the Jinyiwei will definitely be the first to know.

"Come here! Send a few people to monitor the door of the Ministry of Rites. If the scholars make any noise, they will immediately repay them. Without the orders of their Duke or Lord Xiao, the Jinyiwei shall not act rashly!"

After Li Jinglong finished his order, he suddenly laughed gloatingly: "I really hope that those scholars burned the ritual office of the Ministry of Rites, his grandmother! Since I took the errand of the commander of the Jinyiwei, the officials of the six ministries have seen me, their noses are not noses, faces are not faces, as if I raped their daughters. It is Your Majesty's will to serve as the commander, and killing the ministers is also Your Majesty's will. Those ministers dare not challenge your Majesty, and they all came to me. Do you think I am wronged or not!"

Xiao Fan advised: "Sir, don't worry about those sour scholars. They are all mentally retarded people who have been stupid in their reading. We have compassion and use thunderous means. When we attain Bodhi, those who have been saved by us will naturally understand our painstaking efforts..."

Li Jinglong thought about Xiao Fan's words, then slapped his thighs and said deeply: "Mr. Xiao said it well! He is worthy of being a Jinshi. The truth of this is very profound. The Jinyiwei is doing something that is blood-stricken. If we are not merciful, we may be killed by the people below. Therefore, I often do things that will save the world..."

Xiao Fan said in surprise: "Sir, often spread the world?"

This candle actually turned into a Bodhisattva?

Li Jinglong smiled and said, "Of course, I had a Pushi trip yesterday. Do you remember the minister who was beheaded a few days ago? The family and wife of the criminals were converted into the Jiaofangsi music department and were always official prostitutes. I ran to the Jiaofangsi every day to save the criminals' wives and daughters, so that they could die..."

Li Jinglong showed a lewd smile on his face.

Xiao Fan clenched his fists and resisted the urge to step on his slutty face.

A bitch is a bitch. Even if he is a Duke, his essence is still a bitch. He talks about the unethical things of a lewd wife and daughter as a romantic thing, and he has no sense of shame at all. No wonder those ministers don’t like the Jinyiwei.

If you have the chance, you must take over the power of the Jinyiwei. Such a fool is the top leader of the Jinyiwei, which will only make the Jinyiwei's reputation worse and worse. The best outcome of this guy is to be nailed to the pillar of shame, and every passerby spits at him until he is spit to death...

The next day at Yin hour.

Before dawn, officials from the six ministries and nine ministers gathered outside Chengtian Gate, rubbed their hands and feet unconsciously in the morning breeze that was still cold in the late spring, waiting for the palace gate to open.

In the morning court, the Golden Palace faces the saint, and reports to the emperor to the state affairs and give guidance to the emperor. It is glorious and glorious, but in fact it is not so wonderful. First of all, you must be accustomed to waiting outside the palace gate at four or five o'clock every day at this cold morning. If you go early, you will be freezing, and if you go late, you will not even be able to enter the palace gate.

There are often hardships hidden under the glory. When showing off the lintel in the village, who would know that these powerful ministers stood outside the palace gate before dawn every day, tremblingly waiting for the palace gate to open, waiting for the emperor to come to the court?

At this time, the palace gate had not opened, and the ministers gathered together to discuss, all of which were about the Southern Jinshi who were released in the spring exam yesterday, and the fact that the disciples made a big fuss in the ritual office.

A sedan chair was quietly walking amid the conversation of the ministers. The sedan chair stopped under the tall white jade sign of Chengtian Gate. Xiao Fan walked out of the sedan chair. He was wearing a fifth-grade official uniform, with a straight waist and a solemn and majestic expression. He was only twenty years old, and now he has a little bit of a sense of being uneven and powerful.

When the ministers saw Xiao Fan, their discussion stopped immediately. Everyone looked at him together. The timid minister trembled slightly and retreated unconsciously. The ministers who had not retreated were also a little afraid but were desperate to show their face. The eyes of Xiao Fan looked at him with a little fear.

Of course, what everyone is afraid of is not Xiao Fan himself, what they are afraid of is Xiao Fan's identity and the increasingly growing Jinyiwei.

A few days ago, the Jinyiwei had just been rebuilt, and it killed dozens of ministers in the capital, implicating hundreds of family members of the criminals. Such a shocking appearance gave all the officials a heavy blow. The Jinyiwei seemed to be telling the ministers in this way, "We are here, we are recovering, you are all careful!"

The ministers scolded the Jinyiwei for how he acted against the enemy and how he corrupted the imperial court. But after all, they were human beings, and most of them were still afraid of death. They only dared to scold the Jinyiwei, and some even didn't even dare to scold them.

I always have to walk around and hide, but I didn't expect that today I met Xiao Fan, the second-ranked figure of the Jinyiwei, at the gate of the palace. Look at him like this, he should have come to attend the morning court by the order. Now the ministers are embarrassed. I don't know if I should go forward to say hello, or just pretend not to see it...

Xiao Fan got out of the sedan chair and looked at the palace city that was still majestic in the darkness, and his heart was filled with energy.

Today is his first time to attend the morning court. It is a very memorable day. I, Xiao Fan, will open a new page of my own in the Ming Dynasty today. I am a saint on the jade stairs and discuss state affairs. In front of the emperor, I will guide the country and use my own hands to gain fame and fame for a prince. Isn’t it a pleasure to be proud of my life?

Facing the ministers' gaze of jealousy, hatred or fear, Xiao Fan was like a white crane standing among the flock of chickens, so extraordinary, so full of spirit, so energetic that even the eyes of looking at the ministers were a bit fierce and cruel.

He is not afraid of hatred, he is not afraid of jealousy, he drinks and sings to live a life in vain, and he is domineering for whom he is...

...

...

When he was sneering and looking down on his ministers, an inappropriate voice interrupted Xiao Fan's appearance.

"Sir, please pay the money for renting the sedan chair, thank you." The sedan chair owner said politely.

"Puff--" Several of the ministers involuntarily spewed out a sound.

Xiao Fan's energetic expression was suffocated, and his spirit was immediately gone without a trace. He hurriedly pulled into his arms and asked, "How much is the silver?"

“…five cents.”

"Ah? So expensive? Are you slaughtering customers?"

"…Sir, the entire capital is at this price."

"...Can I be cheaper? I will rent it frequently in the future, give me some face and give me a discount."

"Sir, we are not a bad price, so we won't bargain, thank you." The sedan chairman is neither humble nor arrogant.

“…”

While bargaining, Xiao Fan looked for money everywhere on his body, sweating profusely.

"...I'm anxious to go out in the morning. I forgot to bring the money. Can you owe it first? I'll send someone to you in the afternoon..." Xiao Fan said embarrassedly.

"Sir, the small carriage and horse are small and profitable, so I will not be on credit." The sedan chair owner answered very politely, but he had already felt a little impatient in his eyes. There were so many officials who rented sedans in the capital. When did he have such a silly person?

"This is not OK, that is not OK. Do you run a black store?"

“…”

A heavy sigh came from behind Xiao Fan, and a small ingot of silver drew an arc in the air and landed in the hand of the sedan chair.

"Take it, the rest will be rewarded for you."

The sedan chair bear immediately smiled and bowed to thank him, sweeping away the decadent attitude he had when he bargained just now.

Xiao Fan looked back and saw Li Jinglong rolling his eyes at him, looking like he was not familiar with him, and walked a few steps away and stood still.

Xiao Fan hurriedly thanked him: "Thank you, mercy, for your help. I am grateful... mercy, mercy, came very early, haha..."

Li Jinglong coughed and said, "I've come early. Seeing you busy bargaining, I'm embarrassed to come up and say hello to you."

Xiao Fan looked embarrassed: "The salary of the officials is not much, and life is quite difficult..."

Li Jinglong looked very embarrassed and sighed: "I really don't want to pay attention to you. What a pity, we all belong to the same yamen. I can't ignore you. Please don't let our Jinyiwei lose face, okay? So many ministers are watching..."

"Try to make yourself more generous after you get a job..."

When it was a pleasant moment, the bronze bell of Wufeng Tower above the Meridian Gate ringed several times, and the heavy palace gate opened. All officials arranged their classes according to their rank and rank, entered the palace one by one, walked slowly towards Fengtian Palace, walking in a steady manner.

The ministers had a solemn and dignified expression, holding white jade ivory boards used for court ceremony. Under the leadership of two eunuchs, they passed through the Taimiao and Taisheji and entered the Meridian Gate. There were already two rows of Han generals holding ceremonial flags waiting in the Meridian Gate. When they saw the ministers coming, they raised the ceremonial guards high, walked in the front, followed by several eunuchs, and finally the official court officials.

Officials cannot stand randomly, everyone has their own position. The ones who walk in the front are the Duke, Duke, Prince, Prince Consort, followed by military generals from the Five Prefectures and officials from the Sixth Ministry, and then the officials of the Nine Ministers. Finally, the officials of Yingtian Prefecture and miscellaneous positions in Beijing, including the officials of the Zuochunfang, Zhanshifu, and the officials of various departments and economic bureaus. Those who are not as good as rites will be impeached by the Censor and the Honglu Temple.

Xiao Fan was an official of the Jinyiwei and was not qualified to go to the palace, and there was no place in the court squad. However, Zhu Yuanzhang specifically named him, so Xiao Fan had to walk at the end of all the officials with his head hanging down.

Originally, Li Jinglong should have accompanied him at the end, but Li Jinglong had a good birth, and there was a dead father of Duke Cao. He inherited the title and inherited the position of Duke, so he was qualified to be at the forefront of all court officials.

People will die if they compare themselves, and goods should be thrown away.

Xiao Fan carefully followed the team of ministers, from the Imperial City Gate, to the Chengtian Gate, and then to the Meridian Gate, there were big red wooden signs that admonished all officials along the way. The placard in front of the Imperial City Gate: "Officials of all sizes and big people are killed in the face", and the placard in the Meridian Gate: "Officials and other liars are killed."

Xiao Fan felt both interesting and funny all the way. This is probably the earliest slogan with Chinese characteristics in history?

After entering the inner palace city, a magnificent hall stood in front of Xiao Fan.

In Fengtian Hall, all officials congratulate the emperor, hold formal court meetings, and participate in political affairs, which is commonly known as the Golden Palace.

The eaves are on all sides outside the hall, and the golden dome is penetrated. There is also a huge golden ball on the top of the hall, which is magnificent and magnificent. The palace lanterns and giant candles illuminate the hall as bright as day.

At this time, the ministers were already standing outside the Fengtian Hall, but they did not enter the hall, but still arranged in ranks and responsibilities. Then, without saying a word, standing on the imperial road outside the hall with a solemn and respectful expression, waiting for the emperor to come to the court.

Xiao Fan... still stood at the end of the ministers in a low-key manner.

Soon, drums and music started, and two rows of ceremonial guards came out of the Huagai Hall behind Fengtian Hall. The emperor's imperial gate, the brocaded strongman Zhang Wu umbrella covers, and four round fans, and rose from east to west to stand on the left and right; two people in the inner umbrella covers, one held the umbrella covers, the other held the military preparatory, and two fans, and stood in the middle behind the seat.

The emperor first entered the hall, then set his seat, and then whipped the whip. The officials of the Honglu Temple sang the names of ministers to join the class. The left and right squads entered the imperial road together and then arranged the squads. At this time, the civil servants headed north and west, and the military officers headed north and east, and performed one bow and three bowing ceremony. This was for the "big class". The Duke, the Prince, the Prince, and the Bo formed a class (the honorary and relatives squad) and lived in front of the military officers' squad and left a little.

After the ministers finished their salutes, the officials of the Honglu Temple commended the imperial throne and saw that they had resigned. These people had signed up in the temple a few days ago. At this time, they were praying for five bows and three bows in the courtyard or outside the meridian gate.

Until now, the etiquette of facing the saints when attending court was completed. Next, the officials of the Honglu Temple sang the music of each official for some time, and the formal morning court began.

When Xiao Fan first arrived in the court, he stood at the end and followed the ministers, and he was trembling and never made any mistakes.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat south and north with a majestic expression. He wore a formal emperor's wardrobe, wore a winged dragon crown, and sat on the dragon throne with expressionless face. He watched the ministers bow to him. Although he was old, he still stood up straight, like a veteran who had fought for his life for his faith, and was determined to do everything he should do.

Zhu Yunwen sat under the dragon chaise, his body tilted slightly. Since he was conferred the title of the crown prince, he had to follow Zhu Yuanzhang to experience and learn and handle the government affairs with his heart.

After all the procedures were finished, Xiao Fan breathed a sigh of relief, wiped his forehead, and found sweating all over his forehead.

It is really not easy to go to court. Even if a move is done wrong or a cough accidentally, the censor will jump out to impeach. Zhu Yuanzhang is also a not very easy-going person. The minister who made mistakes in court can be a court stick at the slightest, or even accused of being punished or even beheaded. Xiao Fan felt a little scared. Zhu Yuanzhang's bloodthirsty reputation spread all over the world, and he had left a deep impression on his previous life. Moreover, this is a grand dynasty meeting, which is different from the past when Zhu Yuanzhang summoned privately. The dynasty meeting was the most important. In front of so many ministers, if Xiao Fan made a mistake, Zhu Yuanzhang would have no choice but to protect him.
To be continued...