Zhuo Qihua

Wenqing Palace, Taiji Hall, all officials go to court.Emperor Yong'an sat on a high and pure gold dragon chair, overlooking all the officials.I saw that there was not a single general in the hall, but all civil servants.After years of reforms, great changes have taken place in the civil and military departments of Matata.The original Ministry of Punishment, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Households, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Officials, and Ministry of War went through three reforms and became the current Ministry of Punishment, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Accounts, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Officials, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The original Ministry of War was abolished, and the Matata Military and National Defense Command was re-established.

The emperor also served as the supreme commander of the military and defense command.Under the Supreme Commander is the Minister of Military Defense, and below that is the Cabinet of the High Command.This means that the military officials and civil servants of Mata country have completely formed two political lines.Military officers have a place for military officers to go to court, and civil servants have a place for civil servants to discuss matters. The two sides are no longer too involved in government affairs.Taiji Hall is the place where civil servants go to court, and the newly added Longwu Hall in Wenqing Palace is where military officials go to court.

The military and national defense command is also subdivided into several functional departments under the military department.There are ten major functional departments such as the Staff Department, the Logistics Department, the Armed Development Department, the Military Education Department, the Supervision Department, the Military Science Department, and the Military Research Department, and there are further subdivisions below.The biggest advantage of this kind of reform is that there will be no situation where military officers are suppressed by civil officials and cannot hold their heads up, and military officers refuse to accept the control of civilian officials.The emperor has the power to truly hold both civil and military sides.The military attaches are only concerned with domestic security, external defense, territorial expansion, and overseas military affairs of the country.Internal affairs, foreign affairs, and the economy are all under the administration of civilian officials.The cabinet of civil servants and the cabinet of military officials are also strictly separated, and they do not interfere or interfere with each other.

Military Medical Research Institute and Military Industry Research Institute are included in the Ministry of Military Research.The Royal Military Academy and military schools throughout the country are under the unified management of the Military Science Department.The recruitment of soldiers, the training of officers, and the construction of the army are all the affairs of the military department, and are no longer under the management of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials.To achieve a complete separation of civil and military.

The highest chief of the land, sea and air is the chief of defense, and together with their superior, the chief of defense, they are also members of the cabinet of the high command.The ministers of the first-level functional departments of the military are also members of the cabinet of the High Command.On the side of the civil servants, all ministers are also members of the cabinet, because the eight ministers are among them, and the civil servant cabinet is also called the cabinet of ministers.Lin Xieshan left the Cabinet of Ministers and became the first Minister of Military Defense.Guan Minghui, former Shangshu of the Ministry of War, was transferred to Ren Shangshu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.With the close ties with the outside world of Matata, the Honglu Temple, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Rites and is responsible for external affairs, is not enough.

Emperor Yong'an ordered the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The original Honglu Temple still exists, but it no longer manages external affairs, and is only responsible for ethnic affairs and funeral etiquette.Establishing diplomatic relations with overseas countries, establishing affiliated territories, receiving foreign guests, and formulating foreign policies all belong to the scope of functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The establishment of overseas bases is a matter for the military.

The Ministry of Commerce is a not-so-new department separated from the Ministry of Household Affairs.The establishment of financial institutions, foreign trade, state-owned commercial development, and overseas energy development in Mata country are all under the Ministry of Commerce, while the Ministry of Household Affairs no longer intervenes in such related matters.The former Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs was transferred to Ren Shangshu of the Ministry of Commerce in Nianqing.The former servant of the household department served as the secretary of the household department.The first batch of people who entered the Economic Research Institute are now holding important positions in the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Commerce.The Economic Research Institute and the Scientific Research Institute are included in the Faculty.Liu Qian, the former Minister of the Ministry of Officials, was transferred to the Ministry of Education as the Minister of Education.Nian Qing and Shi Yu are still concurrently serving as the deans of the Economic Research Institute and the Science Research Institute, but the next dean will be selected from the first-level researchers of the two institutes.

The current Minister of the Ministry of Officials is an official selected from the local area.The Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Rites remained unchanged.The special battalion headed by Qin Zhongyi is now renamed Qingpingwei, and is still directly under the emperor, as one of the emperor's pro-armies.Qing Pingwei not only protects the safety of the emperor, but also investigates the officials in the name of the emperor - it has the meaning of Jinyiwei, but it is fundamentally different from Jinyiwei.

Today is the court meeting of the Tai Chi Hall, so there is not a single general.In the middle of the court meeting, a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wailang, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have an official performance."

Then, he said: "Your Majesty, as our country is getting stronger and stronger, more and more missions from various countries are coming to congratulate you, and many of them are princes or even heads of the country. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, but if To demonstrate the might of our country as a great country, I believe that what our country needs most now is our prince."

Emperor Yong'an once said that he would not consider the prince within ten years.It has been ten years since Emperor Yong'an said these words.It's just that no ministers have reported the establishment of the crown prince - because none of the important ministers mentioned it - today suddenly such an official from the fifth rank officially proposed the establishment of the crown prince at the Great Court Assembly, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became strange.

King Qin, King Wu Shao, King Xianyi, Shi Yu and others all looked at this official.This person is Wailang, a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Guan Minghui, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has cold eyes.Before this, his subordinate who he never cared about had never shown any sign of caring about the prince!

Emperor Yong'an said with an unpredictable look: "Oh? Who do you think is the most suitable candidate for the crown prince?"

Emperor Yong'an didn't get angry, and even followed the other party's words and asked.Many people's hearts were raised, Qin Wang followed other people's movements and looked up.

The man bowed and said: "Return to Your Majesty, I think that His Highness King Qin is the best candidate for the crown prince."

Killing intent flashed in King Qin's eyes for a moment, and he who was standing at the front on the left immediately came out and knelt down: "Father, my son is still young!"

As the uncle of King Qi, Guan Minghui was his subordinate who brought up the matter of the prince.At this time, whether Guan Minghui made a sound or not would lead to speculation.It's neither good nor bad.King Wu Shao and King Xian Yi were not sure if this person was the pusher His Majesty was looking for, and hesitated whether to come out, but Shi Yu was the first to come out.

Holding the wat board in both hands, Shi Yu made a bow and said: "Your Majesty once said that the matter of the prince will not be mentioned within ten years, but the ten-year period has passed, and I also think that the matter of the prince cannot be delayed any longer."

Emperor Yong'an: "Who does Marquis Xingle think is the most suitable?"

Shi Yu bowed again and said, "In terms of age, only His Highness King Qin and King Qi are the most suitable. The two Highnesses have their own strengths and demeanor. No matter who is the crown prince, it will be a blessing for the country and the people."

Guan Minghui wished he could go up and hug Xinglehou and take a bite.With Shi Yu's announcement, Guan Minghui quickly stepped forward: "I think His Royal Highness King Qi is more suitable."

Chen Changgeng came out: "I think that whether it is His Royal Highness Qin Wang or Qi Wang, both are suitable for the crown prince."

King Wu Shao and King Xianyi saw that the trick was getting tricky, and they immediately came out to express their agreement with what Xinglehou said.Whether it is the King of Qin or the King of Qi, they can take on the responsibility of the prince.

The matter of the prince was brought to light.Most of the ministers said that King Qin and King Qi both have their own styles and are qualified to be princes.The remaining low-ranking officials remained silent collectively.As for the Yuanwailang who was the first to speak up about the prince...many people were muttering in their hearts.The officials from the Fourth Court also kept silent, tacitly expressing their non-participation in this matter.

After no one came out, the Yuanwai Lang said again: "The two Highnesses do have their own strengths. But I think that His Highness King Qin, as the eldest son of His Majesty, is more suitable without a son-in-law. .”

The king of Qin immediately kowtowed: "Father, although my son is the eldest son of the emperor, he is not a legitimate son. As for the crown prince, I think it is too early."

Emperor Yong'an sat at the top, and said in a tone of joy and anger: "I thought that Wenyuan Pavilion should be the first to bring up the matter of the crown prince, but I didn't expect the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the first to win the top spot."

"I'm terrified!" Guan Minghui knelt down and kowtowed.

Shi Yudao: "What the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said makes sense."

Guan Minghui remembered the great kindness of Xinglehou today.

Emperor Yong'an: "I have my own concerns about the crown prince. Get up. I am tired, so I will retire."

Zhang Xian immediately took a step forward and shouted: "Your Majesty returns to the palace—"

"The (son) minister respectfully sends His Majesty—"

The civil servants watched His Majesty leave.After Emperor Yong'an left the Tai Chi Hall, Guan Minghui turned around and glared viciously at his subordinate Guo Yuanwai: "What kind of 'stimulation' has Guo Yuanwai been in recently?"

Guo Yuanwai said calmly: "The lower officials think that the matter of the crown prince should not be delayed any longer, so..."

Guan Minghui interrupted him: "Your Majesty has his own decision about the crown prince. When will it be your turn, a Yuanwailang from the fifth grade! Since you care so much about the crown prince, why don't you please go to Zhan Shi's mansion after the crown prince has been established? The prince works?"

Guo Yuanwai forced a smile: "Master Shangshu is joking, the aptitude of the lower officials is blunt, how can they be qualified to enter the Zhan Shifu, the performances of the lower officials today are all for the sake of the overall situation."

Guan Minghui: "Aptitude dull? I think you are very smart!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Guan Minghui walked away with a cold face.The King of Qin walked up to Guo Yuanwai, and said with a half-hearted smile, "I appreciate Guo Yuanwai's kindness today."

Before Guo Yuanwai could speak, King Qin left.

Shi Yu, Wu Shaowang and others were too lazy to talk to Guo Yuanwai, so they left together.Guo Yuanwai lowered his head and followed the crowd to leave the Tai Chi Hall, but no one approached him within two meters of him.

Emperor Yong'an ordered Zhang Xian to announce Qin Zhongyi to Fengtian Hall after he left Taiji Hall.In Xiangfu Palace, Wang Bao entered the master's study and said in a low voice, "Master."

Zhuo Ji, who was writing a book at his desk, raised his head, saw Wang Bao's face, and put down his pen: "What happened?"

Wang Bao stepped forward: "My lord, at today's court meeting in the Taiji Palace, a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wailang, will present His Majesty, please make His Royal Highness King Qin the Crown Prince."

Zhuo Ji narrowed his eyes for a moment, and asked, "How did the others react?"

Wang Bao: "His Royal Highness King Qin said on the spot that he was still young. Marquis Xingle was the first to say that both His Royal Highness King Qin and King Qi could be crowned princes. Except for Guan Shangshu and those who did not speak out, everyone else supported Marquis Xingle What he said. Guan Shangshu supported the establishment of His Royal Highness King Qin as the crown prince. The Yuanwailang later said that His Royal Highness King Qin was the eldest son of the emperor, which was more appropriate. His Majesty only said that he had his own calculations, and then retired. However, His Majesty has now announced the Qin Dynasty. Go to Fengtian Temple."

Zhuo Ji doesn't care about political affairs, but he will be the first to know about any troubles in the court.At this time Yuan Xiu came in and said: "Master, the imperial concubine sent someone to ask you to come over, master."

Zhuo Ji was silent for a moment, and said: "You tell the visitor, I won't go, Huang Guixie, please be safe and don't be impatient. You go to Yunyue Palace yourself, and tell Guixie to calm down."

"Yes."

Yuan Xiu didn't talk too much about what happened, and quickly left to spread the word.

Zhuo Ji then said to Wang Bao: "Call the king of Qin to come over and say that I have something to explain."

"Yes."

Guo Yuanwai Guo De'an said at the court meeting that he wanted to make the King of Qin the crown prince, and the reason was very upright, but if you think about it carefully, you can find the abnormality.Guo De'an is a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wailang. When he made such an invitation, the first reaction of others was that he was instructed by Shangfeng Guan Minghui.But Guan Minghui instructed him to mention King Qin instead of his own nephew King Qi. What is the meaning of this?If Guo De'an was not instructed by Guan Minghui, then which force could not wait to bring the matter of establishing the crown prince to the public?King Qin acted that this matter has nothing to do with him, is it true or false?Or maybe King Qi cheated his elder brother with the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs behind this?Does that mean that the battle for the throne has already begun as King Qin and King Qi grow older?

In Fengtian Palace, Emperor Yong'an ordered Qin Zhongyi: "Go and check the background of this Guo De'an, and don't let anyone who appears around him go."

Qin Zhongyi: "Yes!"

Emperor Yong'an's eyes were filled with coldness: "Today, there are really those who are not afraid of death and dare to plot against me. I thought that anyone who dared to plot against me was already a cup of yellow earth."

Qin Zhongyi didn't say a word, he just had to follow orders.I will help His Majesty think about these things.

Emperor Yong'an waved his hand: "You go."

"Yes!"

Qin Zhongyi left.

Zhang Xian immediately filled the teacup and said, "Long live, calm down, you are just a clown."

Emperor Yong'an tapped his finger on the dragon table and asked, "Who do you think it could be? The harem? Or someone in the previous court who was restless?"

Zhang Xian shook his head slowly, and said: "I really can't see it. The highnesses in the palace are still young, and the noble lords have always been harmonious and do not participate in political affairs. What's more, there are 俍俍 in the palace pressing down on them. Who dares to mess around. The previous dynasty... the servants saw today that His Highness Qin Wang and Guan Shangshu really didn't know about it. This Guo De'an must have been instigated by others. If there is a rift between His Highness Qin Wang and Qi Wang..." Zhang Xian shook his head again, "Even though there are eighth and third highnesses of Huang Guixie and Degui Xie, both His Highnesses are still young, so why would Huanggui Xie and Degui Xie take such a risk? I want to make Long live you suspicious and take such a step. The imperial concubine sent His Royal Highness King Jin to learn painting early on, and if the imperial concubine has such ambitions, she should also send His Highness Jin Wang to be with you."

There are so many princes in the palace, only King Qin and King Qi studied with Zhuo Ji.Whether it is the harem or the former court, it is also acquiesced that His Majesty will listen to the opinions of Shun Yu when he establishes a crown prince.Concubine Xigui just asked her son to study oil painting with Zhuo Ji for half a year, and Huang Guixie and Deguixie did not let their other son study with Zhuo Ji, so it is not right to fight for the crown prince now It seems redundant.

Zhang Xian thought about it, and added: "The other highnesses... Not to mention the age difference between them and His Highness King Qin and King Qi, this time, it's not their turn..."

Even if His Royal Highness King Qin and King Qi were upset and didn't become princes, there would still be His Royal Highness King Jin, and the most distinguished eighth and third princes.Is it possible to kill all the highnesses in front?Don't talk about doing it, as long as there is even the slightest sign, just wait for His Majesty's Thunder Dragon Fury.Zhang Xian is the most aware of how much His Majesty taboos the fight for the heir apparent.Otherwise, there would be no more dragon heirs born in the palace for so many years.

Feng Xi gently opened the door, Zhang Xian closed his mouth, and Emperor Yong'an looked up.Feng Xi walked in, and the smooth marble floor was covered with exquisite handmade carpets, the special material would not completely absorb the sound of people's footsteps.

"Your Majesty, I have called His Royal Highness King Qin to go to Xiangfu Palace."

Emperor Yong'an nodded, and picked up the memorial on the table.

Xiangfu Palace, King Qin knelt down when he saw Shun's mother and father after arriving: "Shun's mother and father, my child has no idea what happened today."

Zhuo Ji personally helped the King of Qin stand up, and said: "I know. You and Chen Mu were educated by me. I know your character better than anyone else. Come, sit down."

Other princes may still want to fight for the crown prince.Qin Wang and Qi Wang, who had studied with Zhuo Ji since they were young, would definitely not.Their vision has long since departed from the Mata country to the world, and they will not bind themselves to the struggle for the throne.

Qin Wang sat down on the single sofa, and he only showed his anger in front of Shun's mother and father.

Zhuo Ji said: "In the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are just paper tigers."

Qin Wang took a deep breath and exhaled: "Mother Shun, the child has calmed down."

Zhuo Ji: "Now go to Fengtian Hall to find your father and ask him to allow you to go out of Beijing to pick up Chen Mu. Take my ring and go to the Firearms Camp to dispatch 50 musketeers. I am very worried about Chen Mu now."

As he spoke, Zhuo Ji took off his ring, which symbolized the emperor's presence, from his neck, and handed it to King Qin.King Qin stood up and took it with both hands: "Go now, my child!"

Zhuo Ji was the only guard in the harem who had the power to mobilize Emperor Yong'an's guards—including the Qingping Guards—and the concubines of the soldiers of the Firearms Battalion.

King Qin left in a hurry, Zhuo Ji said, "Let Haoyue and Jin Dashi come here."

Wang Bao went out.