Chapter 88 End-of-life orphan

18 years of exhausting life, 18 years of hard work, Emperor Hongzhi, who lies on his back on Long**, only has a bone shelf, blue veins on his head, his cheeks are haggard and burnish, his lips are dry and cracked, and there is a rapid breathing sound at the end of his nose.

In early April of Hongzhi's 18th year, Zhu Youcheng stopped looking at the court due to illness. This year, Hongzhi was exactly 36 years old. In his prime, both inside and outside the court thought that he was accidentally ill. At first, he didn't care much about it, but Emperor Hongzhi, who had never been absent from work, stopped looking at the court, and Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and Xie, who had summoned the cabinet many times in recent months. Moving, as well as Liu Daxia, the secretary of the Ministry of War, Han Wen, and Ma Wensheng, the secretary of the Ministry of Officials, and other issues such as military and political border affairs and the selection of officials, people began to believe that Zhu Youbang has reached the end of his life.

The three knelt to the ground and said in unison, "Liu Jian and others have been summoned to see you. Congratulations on the health of the dragon!"

Hongzhi has not answered - he has never been called a hundred years old! Queen Zhang, who was serving beside her, greeted them with gestures to stand up and ordered the maid to bring the cushion and sit down.

Hongzhi opened his eyes weakly, stared at the three important ministers in front of the bed, gasped and said, "Since I ascended the throne, the three Qing families have tried their best to assist me. For many years, it can be said that kings and ministers have known each other and cherished each other. I always remember the merits of Sanqing Xiangfu..."

A violent cough, Hongzhi's burnt yellow cheeks gradually turned dry red. His strength was weak and he still barely supported, and his eyes flashed a look of near exhaustion but excitement. Seeing this situation, Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and Xie Qian were all in tears, and Empress Zhang cried even more.

Hongzhi continued to say emotionally: "I am 36 years old this year. At the age of 18, I inherited the foundation of Emperor Xianzong. Now it has been 18 years. In this period, I have supported it with you to govern the world and make politics clear. However, last month, I had a sudden malignant disease, colic pain in my internal organs, and my sleep and food were useless. I took too much medicine. On the contrary, it has become more and more serious. It seems that it is difficult to get sickle, and the life limit has arrived. I want to say goodbye to my gentlemen..."

Liu Jianqiang, who has always been eloquent, endured the pain of pain and comforted him, "Your Majesty is so strong. If you are sick for a while, you will be able to recover. I am looking forward to it!"

Hongzhi smiled bitterly at the corners of his mouth and shook his head and said, "I know it. Life can't be forced..." He said intermittently, "I'm mediocre, but I don't dare to do evil. I just think more and less and lack action. Knowing that the ills of internal and external departments are accumulating, I wanted to listen to Mr. Na and others and reform to restore my ancestors, but I always believed that the disadvantages should not be too sudden, so I followed them again and again. ...Youyou misleads me, and I mislead the country... Sirs and other officials. I have given many admonitions before, pointing out that since my reign, I have been too rich in foreign relatives, given too wide, the eunuchs are too powerful, and too many civil and military redundant officials. I know that what I say is reasonable, but I am lenient to accept words and afraid to correct them, and do not dare to judge and punish them lightly. He was in the position of treasure and did not perform the position of emperor. I'm not self-disciplined, who can discipline me? People are about to die, and their words are also sad, and regret is too late. After my death, my husband should draft an edict and warn the emperor.

These words are clearly organized and true. Obviously, Hongzhi has thought about it repeatedly in the disease, which is really a heartfelt word. The three cabinet scholars were moved to tears and kowtowed to the ground. Because when it comes to being too generous to foreign relatives, it obviously refers to many illegal things such as Empress Zhang's brother Zhang Yanling, who has always been criticized by the ministers. For this reason, Empress Zhang also knelt on the ground and exchanged tears.

Hongzhi didn't seem to see the reaction of the queen and the three important ministers. He continued to lean on the pillow and muttered to himself. Although his voice was subtle, it was full of emotion and his thoughts were clear. This was his last review before he died:

"I am not the lord of violence, but I am not a righteous king... I did not dare to neglect to abide by the laws of my ancestors, but I failed to carry forward my ancestral virtues and seriously. It is really the trust of my ancestors..."

Hongzhi closed his eyes and rested, and the atmosphere in the bedroom was more solemn, but no one could think of how to answer. It seemed that all language was superfluous. At this time, there was only the patient's heavy gasp and the low sobs of the queen and the three ministers.

After a while, Hongzhi opened his eyes and seemed to be energetic again. As soon as the topic changes, focus on explaining the future:

"Being me, the construction of the mausoleum is not allowed to be expensive, and the burial objects must be simple. Only two coffins of me and the future queen are parked in the Xuan Palace. I have no concubines. Xuan Palace can save quietness and always rest with the people. The crown prince is 14 years old and has not chosen to get married. He doesn't have to stick to the old rule of not getting married for three years. He can order the Ceremonial Department to prepare for a big wedding this year.

After completing these two things, Hongzhi seems to have strength and important things to say. He motioned everyone kneeling up and invited them to come closer. Empress Zhang is still sitting by the couch, holding the emperor's sick body with one hand and wiping tears with the other hand. Liu, Li and Xie bowed and stood up and only heard Hongzhi solemnly:

"The crown prince is young and playful. Recently, I also know that this is the most reassuring thing about him. Please counsel him carefully to help him read and understand the truth and encourage him to be the Lord."

Hongzhi said as he cried, clung to Liu Jian's hand, and looked at Li Dongyang and Xie Qian cordially, and said earnestly, "The three Qing families are all ministers, and it is not easy to tutor you. ...I hope to remember my farewell words..."

Before he finished his words, Hongzhi was almost exhausted. He opened his eyes and looked, the corners of his mouth were crooked, and his voice was unclear, but it still seemed that he was still not finished, and it was difficult to give up his feelings. It seemed that the last flame before the lamp withered, and now it was about to go out. Empress Zhang hurriedly ordered the imperial doctor. Liu Jian and others cried and bowed and resigned, and the eunuch Wang Yue sent him outside the East Corner Gate.

The dying Hongzhi still suddenly realized and struggled to tell Empress Zhang:

"The queen and the crown prince should be kind and harmonious."

Queen Zhang answered in a low voice with a face full of shame:

"Don't worry, emperor, don't worry!"

"I think I'll take the year number as Zhengde! If you are on the throne, you should correct your virtues, and then you can correct your virtues..."

Emperor Hongzhi took the hand of Liu Jian, a university scholar: "I know that gentlemen have worked hard to counsel." He also said, "Donggong is smart, but young and happy. His gentlemen often advise him to study and be a virtuous master."

"Vow not to humiliate my life!"

Looking at these three governing ministers, Zhu Youcong closed his eyes with a smile and left the world forever.

He has not enjoyed any blessings in his life, but has suffered many crimes and suffered countless vicious injuries, but chose selfless forgiveness. He rarely experienced the emperor's honor, but assumed all the responsibility of the emperor.

Zhu Youbo came out of darkness and evil, but he was a bright and upright man. He is a good emperor and a good man.

Zhu Youbang has been impeccable in his life, but he has missed his son's education. Zhu You, a monogamous man, only gave birth to two sons and died of illness. The only thing left was Zhu Houzhao, who naturally died. Looking at the root, coupled with his brother's misfortune at a young age, he was afraid that his son would suffer. He relied on him for everything and rarely punished him, let alone beating. This is probably a common problem of all fathers in the world.

Zhu Houzhao grew up in such an environment. He is not afraid. He has whatever he wants, and no one cares about him. Naturally, even his father doesn't care. Who dares to care? Countless prodigal sons are refined in this way, but Zhu Houzhao is different. His IQ is extraordinary and he knows right and wrong, but his goal is different - play! How to have fun, how to play, earth-shaking, people and gods are angry, just for one word - play. Zhu Houzhao played so unscrupulously until he was 15 years old. In the midst of crying, he was told that his father was going to die, and Zhu Houzhao would become the next emperor.

Zhu Houzhao doesn't care about this title. In his opinion, as long as it doesn't hinder him from playing, it doesn't matter what he does. Liu Jian, a cabinet scholar, couldn't stand it anymore, so he wrote to hope that Zhu Houzhao would stop playing and be the emperor, and he also listed several crimes of Zhu Houzhao in the book, such as not sitting in the main hall, but wandering around watching the bustle, riding and boating without permission, eating casually, etc. Other ministers also wrote around to persuade Zhu Houzhao's insult behavior.

Zhu Houzhao was upset to death by these old men, but after all, he is the number one person left by his father and cannot be offended. The soldiers came to cover the water, so Zhu Hou took out a loyal and simple expression and said honestly, "I understand. I will definitely correct it in the future."

"Zhang Yong, I heard that you know the military and will lead troops to war?" One day, Zhu Houzhao was in a good mood and casually asked Zhang Yong, who followed him. After Wuzong ascended the throne, the eight eunuchs who played with him became red and purple, known as the "Eight Tigers". Among them, Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and Gu Dayong are the most favored. Among them, Zhang Yong stayed with the same generation of generals in Xuanfu when he was young, and he was a little enthusiastic about fighting.

Zhang Yongdao: "Go back to the emperor•••"

Zhu Houzhao scolded: "Your Majesty, you will still call me my master in the future. How comfortable it is." Zhu Houzhao interrupted Zhang Yong's words.

Zhang Yong said, "Yes, I know something about it." Zhang Yong is relatively straightforward and not modest.

Zhu Houzhao said, "Oh, well, how about I give you an errand?"

Zhang Yong said, "What's the job?"

"Admiral Jingzhong Military Affairs." Zhu Houzhao turned around and said happily.

Admiral? Master, this admiral has always been the job of a general. I'm afraid he can't do it. Zhang Yong's face turned pale.

"What can't be? I want you to be!" Zhu Houzhao raised his eyebrows and said loudly with an unhappy face.

"But they won't agree." Zhang Yongdao.

"Those old stubborn people are annoyed by them. It's okay if you don't mention them. If you mention them, you will be very angry. Every day, they force you to listen to some classics and lectures. It's actually some old men who teach you. They are so bored that he doesn't even let him go out of the palace. Every time Liu Jian will say that he needs to be cautious about his words and deeds for the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How can he do anything wrong? ? ••" Zhu Houzhao began to complain.

"Master, don't you have to use them anyway?" Zhang Yong said.

"I don't believe it. If you don't use them, you won't rule the country. My father spoils them too much."

Zhang Yong was speechless, and Zhu Houzhao continued to walk to the Wenhua Pavilion.