Chapter 890: Fighting for a Way Out
Inside the hall, the former monarch and his ministers sat opposite each other, with a table in the middle. On the table were three plates of snacks.
Meat floss, pickled broad beans, and sausage.
The wine is a fine wine from Shu, slightly sweet.
Only Huang Jin was serving.
When Xia Yan entered the palace, he was entertained by the Taoist priest many times here, and the person who served him at that time was Huang Jin.
I still remember that Xia Yan was full of energy, with his head held high and his voice as loud as a bell. As soon as he opened his mouth, an aura of confidence came towards him, making people feel that this man had endless vitality in his body.
And, proud!
The pride of looking down on all living beings.
After several ups and downs, Xia Yan, who was nearly killed, lived in Xin'an Lane and went to the palace twice. His attitude was completely different from usual. The first time, he was a little respectful and a little expectant.
The second time I was much more free and easy, with a kind of calmness that comes from having no desires.
Today, Xia Yan is like an ordinary old man who stands up for his children and grandchildren. He refuses to give in and confronts the emperor head-on... just like he did back then.
Emperor Jiajing sipped his wine, a look of sarcasm in his eyes that Xia Yan was familiar with.
Most smart people are like this, thinking that most people in the world are stupid. Some people can hide this mentality, while others cannot, and from time to time they reveal an uncomfortable look.
Dao Ye naturally did not need to hide his attitude, and said lightly: "The prime minister is the prime minister, and the assistant is the most important. Many people forget this point, which leads to the emperor's thunderous wrath. They attribute this situation to the birds flying away and the good bows being hidden.
Were Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen really innocent? Once they had power, they could do whatever they wanted. Under the temptation of power, they became more domineering and more violent. The real reason for their death was that they were too powerful to be removed and brought about their own destruction.
"The tail is too big to be dropped!"
"The emperor is ruthless and treats his subjects as straw dogs. He abandons them when necessary. This is just speculation." Emperor Jiajing said sarcastically: "I don't know about other emperors, but in my case, I will not abandon anyone who is loyal to me."
Historically, Yan Song and his son were too powerful to be eliminated, and Xu Jie's actions only gave them a boost.
"Yan Song, the old dog I kept in captivity. Yan Shifan, the little dog dares to bare his teeth at me." Emperor Jiajing smiled, "Huang Ban, tell this old man."
Huang Jin coughed dryly, "Yan Shifan colluded with the palace eunuchs to find out about your majesty's daily life."
"I know." Emperor Jiajing said lightly.
Emperor Jiajing is playing tricks on me!
Xia Yan understood.
"Wouldn't it be the best of both worlds to push Yan Song and his son to the top?"
"I'm still watching." Emperor Jiajing said quietly, "This old dog Yan Song knows his limits and doesn't dare to have any thoughts about me. Yan Shifan is a little ambitious and a little domineering, but he is still within my tolerance."
Xia Yan took a deep breath and thought that if he colluded with the eunuchs and snooped on the emperor's daily life, any other emperor would have been furious and ordered to arrest Yan Shifan and punish him severely. He might even implicate Yan Song and bring down both father and son.
But Emperor Jiajing said that it was still within his tolerance range.
Such a broad mind!
Xia Yan sighed, "Your Majesty is so tolerant towards Yan's father and son, but he is so tolerant towards Qingzhi..."
"Do you think that by letting Qingzhi take charge of the new policy, I want him to have a bad ending?"
"Exactly."
Emperor Jiajing looked at the old man.
The old man looked at the emperor.
After a long while, Emperor Jiajing pointed at him and said, "No desires make you strong, right?" He picked up the wine glass and took a sip. "When I first learned about Qingzhi's situation, I wanted him to live a life of wealth and honor. This would also be considered as fulfilling my mother's last wish. But I didn't expect..."
Xia Yan smiled and said, "That kid has great talent and doesn't know how to restrain himself. Once he catches the emperor's eye, he will never be free again."
Emperor Jiajing ate a piece of sausage, and the spicy taste made him frown slightly.
Taoism emphasizes a light taste, not pursuing anything, but light taste can nourish the mind and body. Meat and spicy food make people restless and difficult to calm down.
After chewing for a few times, the Taoist felt so delicious that he ate another piece.
He put down his chopsticks, swallowed his food, and said slowly: "I thought, since he has talent, then let's use it. It can also be considered as giving him some fun."
"If you are just rich and noble, but do nothing all day and eat all day, in my opinion, it is not rich and noble, but suffering, worse than being a peddler."
"You have understood it." Dao Ye smiled, "It doesn't matter if you become my close minister, you just do your job. Even if that kid is bold and dares to speak out against the scholars."
"Your Majesty and the literati are enemies, and Qingzhi is right to speak out."
"That's right. I can find ways to cover up and protect him." Emperor Jiajing suddenly smiled bitterly. "I have always been curious about where his skills and knowledge came from, until he admitted that he was a great Mohist master. At that moment, did you know what I was thinking?"
“It’s probably a mixed bag!”
"As expected, you, an old man, know me well." Emperor Jiajing sighed, "If he was just a cynical teenager, even if he offended the literati, I would have the means to redeem him and make him rich and prosperous for life. But the leader of the Mohist school... even if a god descended to earth, he could not stop those people from wanting to kill him."
"He is the mortal enemy of Confucianism, and they will fight to the death." Xia Yan saw this very clearly, "This is also the reason why I finally stayed. I am worried that he will not have a good end."
"You, old man, were decisive and ruthless in your past, but now you are sentimental and soft-hearted." Emperor Jiajing raised his glass with a smile, and Xia Yan raised his glass.
The two drank the wine in their cups, and Emperor Jiajing picked up the wine pot and poured wine for Xia Yan first. Xia Yan held the wine glass with one hand, and Emperor Jiajing held down his sleeve with one hand and poured wine with the other hand, and said slowly: "Since he is destined to die with Confucianism in this life, what should I do?"
Xia Yan's body trembled, "Your Majesty!"
As smart as he was, he suddenly thought of a possibility.
Emperor Jiajing poured himself a glass of wine, very calmly.
"I have been weak and sickly since I was young. I followed my father to practice Taoism and was devoted to Taoism. After I ascended the throne, I faced internal and external troubles and became more devoted to Taoism. I have great faith in the gods and feel that... as long as I practice diligently and believe in them devoutly, I will surely live a long life."
Xia Yan shook his head. "Han Wu and Tang Zong both wanted to live forever, but in the end they found that everything was just a mirage."
"Gods, yes!" Dao Ye said confidently, "As for where the gods are, I think they are around us."
Xia Yan couldn't help but look around.
"The gods are watching all this." Emperor Jiajing said, "That's why we say be cautious when alone. Don't think no one knows. If people don't know, the gods and ghosts know."
Xia Yan was silent.
"I had a dream when I was ill. I dreamed that Altan's army was marching southwards with unstoppable force."
Xia Yan smiled, "Where is the Nine Border Army?"
"The armies of the nine frontiers are hiding and dare not go out." The eyes of Emperor Jiajing were gloomy. "Altan's army has reached the capital directly, and the whole city is in a panic. I am also in the same situation." Some people say that I should travel south to avoid disaster, while others say that I should defend the capital. I am in a dilemma.
Xia Yan felt that this dream was a bit absurd.
"Just when Altan's army was wreaking havoc and I was hesitant, someone stood up and shouted, 'We must fight!'"
Emperor Jiajing said slowly: "The young man stood in the hall and said to me: The emperor should guard the country's gates. Some ministers scolded the young man for being ignorant, saying that Altan's army was fierce and how could the empty capital resist? This put me in danger. The young man..."
Emperor Jiajing smiled and thought for a moment, "He said word by word: Then, the king dies for the country!"
Xia Yan said softly: "The emperor guards the country's gates, and the king dies for the country."
"Then the young man was overwhelmed by the ministers."
This sudden turn of events... isn't right! Xia Yan: "..."
"Then there was a great war, and troops from all over the country came to the defense of the king. After looting, Altan returned with a full load. The ministers celebrated and said that they had escaped a disaster. I am no exception."
Emperor Jiajing took a sip of wine, and Xia Yan said, "It's just a dream after all."
"No, it's not just a dream." The Taoist priest shook his head, "Now that several years have passed, I still remember those details clearly, as if they really happened and I experienced them."
Xia Yan was stunned. "Things in dreams are usually forgotten not long after waking up. Even if they are unforgettable, they only last for a few days at most. This is strange."
"I said, there are gods in this world." The Taoist said calmly: "I have been thinking about this dream. Many people in the dream behaved in an ugly way, but many people were steadfast and unwavering."
Emperor Jiajing suddenly laughed, "I know everything about how Lu Bing and Yan Song, father and son, teamed up to trick you."
But the Taoist priest just sat back and watched. He originally intended to deal with Xia Yan, so he just went with the flow.
"I found out later." Xia Yan nodded and said calmly, "I don't hate anyone."
"Lu Bing is sitting on the fence, which makes me unhappy. I originally planned to let him resign, but changed my mind."
In that dream, Lu Bing, who had always been on the fence and tried to protect himself, stood firmly in front of Emperor Jiajing, just like the Lu Bing who risked his life when Emperor Jiajing was trapped in a sea of fire many years ago.
Emperor Jiajing was nostalgic for the old times, and the dream also helped Lu Bing.
"That was not a dream, but a revelation from the gods." Emperor Jiajing said quietly, "When Altan was preparing to march south, I felt extremely uneasy. When Qingzhi led his army north, I would pray to the gods for protection every day in the palace... When the victory report came, I suddenly felt relieved."
"Then His Majesty decided to launch a new policy."
"Yes!" Emperor Jiajing nodded. "The gods helped and sent that young man to my side. This is for me to change everything. If I miss the opportunity... I'm afraid my children and grandchildren will not have a good death."
Xia Yan thought of what Jiang Qingzhi had said before, that the imperial clan had too many people, which put too much pressure on the finances, and the people of the world had already suffered. If the country collapsed, the imperial clan would be the first to suffer...
"People will get angry at me." Xia Yan shook his head.
"The war between Confucianism and Mohism will continue until one side bows or falls." Emperor Jiajing said: "I also thought of letting Yan Song take charge of the new policy, but in the end I let Qing Zhi take charge. Do you know why?"
Xia Yan recalled what Emperor Jiajing had said.
His body shook and he looked at the Taoist in disbelief.
"Your Majesty wants to..."
"Since those scholars want to kill Qingzhi as soon as possible, and since they are determined to fight to the death, why don't they let go and let that idiot take power, so as to... suppress the Confucianists and pull those people down from power!"
Emperor Jiajing said softly: "I am not young anymore, and I will definitely go before Qingzhi. If I go, those people will attack me in groups. No matter the third or fourth son, they will not be able to stop me, and Qingzhi will definitely not die a good death.
In this case, then, before I go, I will protect him... and fight those people, for the Ming Dynasty and for myself. Fight and carve out a way to survive!"
(End of this chapter)
