Chapter 783 Obstruction

"The candidate mentioned by the mother is the son of King Ning. The mother believes that this son is intelligent, smart, loyal and benevolent. Although he is young, he has good conduct and is the appearance of a wise king."

Although it was an expected answer, Song Nan was still shocked when she heard the four words of the son of Ning. Zhu Chenhao was skillful and had obtained the support of the empress dowager in such a short time, making his son a candidate for the future prince. During this period of time, Song Nan was fighting abroad and his eyes were not clear, although he knew Ning Wangju had made some attempts in the capital for several months, but he had no time to take care of it after all.

I also have a good impression of this son. King Ning is modest and kind, and his son should not be too bad. What is rare is that this son fell in love with his mother, and his mother treats him like a grandson. I am also very gratified to see the mother and the child happily together. I failed to let my mother hold the emperor and grandson. At least I had to let my mother choose an eye-catching step-son. I am at peace and can get along well in the future.

"Has the emperor decided?" Song Nandao.

Zhengde nodded and said, "I have promised my mother in the morning, and I will announce this matter when the annual leave is over and the morning begins to resume in the morning."

Song Nan said, "Don't the emperor need to seek the opinions of the cabinet scholars?"

Zhengde said, "Yang Ting and his mother have differences on the selection of candidates, and it may be difficult to reach an agreement on this matter. I think it is better to cut the mess quickly and make a decision as soon as possible. In this way, a lot of trouble can be avoided. Although Yang Ting and them will not be happy, he can't come up with an inappropriate reason for the son of King Ning. I think he dares not object to my will.

Song Nan thought for a moment and said, "Since the emperor has decided, it is not convenient for me to say anything. Although the establishment of an heir is too big a matter and should be cautious, it is not my turn for me to worry about the decision of the empress dowager and the emperor. I only do my job well."

Zhengde heard that there seemed to be something in Song Nan's words and asked, "Song Nan, I told you about this matter to hear your opinion. Before the imperial edict is issued, the matter is inconclusive. To be honest, although I made this decision, I actually felt a little uncomfortable. Although I also love the son of King Ning, it comes down to the recommendation of my mother. In fact, I have an indescribable feeling in my heart. I don't know whether to be happy or depressed. In short, it's hard to express.

Of course, Song Nan understands Zhengde's feelings. Under the imperial edict, the son of King Ning will become the future master of the Ming Dynasty. How can Zhengde be reconciled? In addition, this is not his own son. Although according to the general theory, it is the continuation of the Zhu family, how can he be so open-minded in his private mind?

"Your Majesty, how dare I have any opinion? If the emperor makes a decision, I will be the first to raise my hand to agree; but the matter of establishing an heir is too important. If the emperor really needs to listen to my opinion, I have a few words to say."

"Oh? Let me tell you, I just want to hear your opinion."

"Thank you, the minister said bluntly; the emperor is in the palace, and it may be difficult to know everything about the outside world; I live in the position of commander of Jinyiwei, and a large amount of information is gathered on the desk every day. Some things will be considered, and some ministers will only laugh as rumors, but some of those rumors may not be unfounded. Although I have always been committed to changing the investigation method of catching wind and shadows in the Jinyiwei Yamen, if it involves major events in the dynasty or affects bad things, I will still encourage my hands to figure it out, at least to give the people involved innocent and severely punish those who spread rumors.

"I'm very reassuring to you that the Jinyiwei government is better than the past dynasties in your hands, but what do you think about these? I don't want to listen to the operation of your Jinyiwei Yamen.

"Your Majesty, what I mean is that it is too important for the emperor to make the son of King Ning a prince. A person who is about to become a prince must not have any stain and fault."

"What you said today is a little strange. What mistakes and stains can a seven- or eight-year-old child have?"

"The emperor said that there are naturally no faults and stains on the seven- or eight-year-old child. In fact, the son of King Ning is indeed a smart person as the Empress Dowager said, but if he becomes the prince, it will not be his own business. His parents and grandparents need to be innocent people within several generations, such as If these people have stains and major mistakes, or commit adultery, it will definitely affect the reputation of these seven or eight-year-old children. I don't know if the emperor thinks so.

Zhengde nodded slowly and said, "This makes sense, but there is nothing wrong with the Ning family. I have never heard any bad comments about the Ningwang Mansion. Going back to the four generations, the first generation of Ning Xianwang was the seventeenth son of Taizu. He shared the town with the King of Yan along the border soldiers and horses, and there was nothing wrong with the Nanchang Mansion for several generations. The place.

Song Nan would like to say: Although it was difficult for Zhu Quan, the king of Yan, there was a precedent for him to seize the throne. But how can Song Nan say that if it were not for Wang Jingnan of Yan, there would have been no Zhengde to take charge of the affairs of tomorrow. For Zhengde, Zhu Quan and Wang Jingnan of Yan did not rebel, but had made great contributions.

"Your Majesty, I have said that there are some rumors reported on the desk every day, including many people who are related to the nobles, including Zhu Chenhao, the king of Ning."

"Oh? Are there any bad rumors about Zhu Chenhao? Zhengde was a little surprised. In his opinion, King Ning is a kind and interesting person and has a good relationship with himself. Among the vassals, if anyone can speak bosom words, there is no one but King Ning.

"Emperor Shengming, the rumor is indeed about King Ning. Although I regard these things as a joke, now that he wants to make his son the heir, it is necessary to inform the emperor all these things."

What are the rumors? If you say it, I will also open my eyes."

Song Nan sat down and whispered, "It is rumored that King Ning has a close relationship with officials in Nanjing and other places in Fengyang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, and there is a suspicion of ganging in private. King Ning and some ministers in the court were also very close, and they also bought several brothels to train singers and prostitutes. The woman gave it to the minister and local officials in the court.

Zhengde laughed dumbly and said, "Is that what it is? Is this also a big deal? Although the king of the Ming Dynasty did not lead the government, it did not prohibit them from making friends. As for the gift of singer prostitutes. Women's affairs are even more ridiculous. These things are very popular among officials in private. Zhu Chenhao can't avoid vulgarity, but that's not a fault. At most, it's just some damage to reputation. I will strictly order him to sell the brothel immediately so as not to be given a handle. These things are nothing at all, but those who report these things should be strictly investigated, and even these things must be reported. Obviously, they are afraid that the world will not be chaotic.

Song Nan rolled his eyes and arched his hand and said, "What the emperor said is that there are some rumors besides these."

Zhengde smiled and said, "Song Nan, I really feel sorry for you. I am overwhelmed by these trivial things every day, but I have wronged you. I think you should put some energy into national affairs. You should make a personal choice and step down as the commander of Jinyiwei. I can't bear that you are still restrained by these trivial matters. You are a big man."

Song Nan said, "Thank you for your love, and I also have this intention. But I haven't finished my words yet. The rumor about King Ning is more than just those trivial things.

Zhengde got up and said, "I'm a little tired. You can go back with me. Let's talk about these things another day. Today's New Year's Eve, you should also go back to accompany your family and relatives. It's not good for me to occupy you, and your wives and concubines will accuse me of being unreasonable."

Zhengde stepped down the pavilion, and Song Nan's voice came from behind him: "Your Majesty, someone reported that King Ning was plotting and plotting to usurp the throne."

Zhengde shook his body and stopped to look back and said, "What are you talking about?"

I received a report that Zhu Chenhao, the king of Ning, privately expanded the guard and sent people to Guangzhou to purchase leather armor, iron ingots and other things, acting unconventionally. It is reported that he colluded with local officials to buy armaments from these officials, embezzled civilian land in Nanchang Prefecture, rice, salt and other industries that private clans are not allowed to operate, and shielded and collusion with local bandits in Jiangxi.

Zhengde's face changed dramatically and exclaimed, "What? Is there such a thing?

Song Nan said slowly: "These are all the reports I have received. I remember the emperor's teachings. It is not convenient for the Jinyiwei to intervene in the affairs of the clan. Maybe these are rumors, and I also hope they are rumors. However, if the son of King Ning wants to succeed as a prince, I have to suggest that the emperor allow me to investigate these matters. If these things are true, the emperor needs to carefully consider whether the son of King Ning can become a successor.

Zhengde covered his chest and coughed loudly. Song Nan hurried forward to wipe Zhengde's chest. Zhengde closed his eyes and gasped for a long time. He held the pillar in the pavilion to stabilize his shaky body and said, "Song Nan listen to the order."

Song Nan hurriedly saluted and received the order.

"I will give you ten days to find out these rumors before the tenth day of the first lunar month. If they are false, you must severely punish those who spread rumors. If they are true... I... I'm calculating."

"I will obey the order and give the emperor evidence and answers within ten days. The emperor must not be upset about this matter. I don't want the emperor to be worried about this matter again."

Zhengde sighed and smiled and said, "I won't. I just want to know the truth. I want to know what kind of surprise these seemingly loyal vassal ministers will give me. Xiao Yongzi, help me go back. Song Nan, please leave."

Zhang Yongyuan heard Zhengde's call and hurriedly trotted over. Zhengde held Zhang Yong's arm and went down to the pavilion without returning.

Song Nan stood on the pavilion for a long time, sighed and strode out of the Qianqing Palace.