With a strange mood, Zhu Zaigui finally took a sip of the fifty-year-old Shaoxing Huadiao that Emperor Jiajing had kindly prepared.
Although the wine tasted very fragrant, Zhu Zaigui felt that the taste of the wine was a bit strange because Emperor Jiajing had previously said that he used this wine for foot soaking.
Emperor Jiajing asked, "You left Gao Gong, Hai Rui, and Yan Maoqing in Nanjing, so who are you going to use to supervise them?"
Emperor Jiajing picked up a piece of lotus root and looked at Zhu Zaigui and asked.
The reason why he asked these questions was very simple. He just wanted to remind Zhu Zaigui that even if he trusted someone, he should remember to be on guard. Otherwise, if something went wrong, the problem would become serious.
Therefore, checks and balances are always the best way for those in power to manage their subordinates.
Zhu Zaigui put down the wine glass in his hand, thought for a while and said, "I plan to use Feng Bao."
"Feng Bao?"
Emperor Jiajing's memory of Feng Bao was a little vague, and he almost forgot that there was such a person in the Western Garden.
Emperor Jiajing asked again: "Where is Feng Bao now?"

Zhu Zaigui said: "Feng Bao is in Shunyi now."
When Emperor Jiajing heard this, he suddenly realized and finally remembered who Feng Bao was.
It turned out that he was Huang Jin's godson. During the defense of the capital, it was he who led the troops of the Beijing Camp to the Shunyi Industrial Park for rescue. As a result, Zhu Zaigui stripped him of his military power on the spot, and he stayed there afterwards.
Thinking about it now, it seems like it was a long time ago.
Emperor Jiajing said: "Feng Bao is good, he is obedient and honest. It is just right to send him to Nanjing to supervise Gao Gong and others."
Zhu Zaigui hummed and said, "Father is wise. Feng Bao is a cautious and careful person, and he also has the character of a scholar. If we put him in Nanjing, maybe he can get along well with the scholars in Jiangnan and get more secrets of Jiangnan for us."
Emperor Jiajing nodded in agreement. Nanjing and Jiangnan, just by listening to their names, seemed to be the places that the court knew best, but in actual administration.
Due to the distance between the capital and Nanjing, and also due to the problems of transportation and information development in ancient society.
Even though Nanjing and Jiangnan were of paramount importance to the imperial court, the court's understanding of them was almost superficial.
Moreover, the emperors in ancient times were almost all "homebodies" who would never leave the capital. Even if they were wise and intelligent, it was actually very difficult for them to truly understand a place.
For example, Emperor Jiajing officially ascended the throne in April of the 16th year of Zhengde, and changed the reign title to Jiajing the following year. Until the end of the 44th year of Jiajing, he has been emperor for 45 years.
But during these forty-five years, Emperor Jiajing spent almost all of his life in the capital, except for Anlu where he grew up as a child.
Just imagine a person who stays in one place for a long time, even if he possesses supreme power, the supreme status in the world, and a mind that surpasses the world.
But he wanted to understand what kind of world the world he ruled was. He still couldn't do it like ordinary people in later generations with advanced information technology, who could just move their fingers slightly to roughly check and understand what kind of place he wanted to know.
So, don’t be fooled by how smart and capable Emperor Jiajing is praised by later generations.
But in fact, his intelligence and strength can only be displayed within a limited range.
If he really wanted to use his intelligence and scheming to continue to govern the world, reform and innovate, and create a prosperous era that truly belonged to him, the difficulty would be no less than his dream of becoming an immortal.
Therefore, Emperor Jiajing's new policy was abandoned halfway after 20 years of Jiajing. Perhaps only Emperor Jiajing himself knew the bitterness and difficulties involved, as well as the resistance he encountered.
Moreover, in the previous twenty years of his hard work, God had not given him many decent talents, and he did not have many people he could fully trust to help him do things.

Therefore, the failure of Emperor Jiajing’s new policies cannot be blamed solely on his fatigue and his escapist mentality of indulging in cultivating immortals in his later years.
To put it bluntly, the ultimate reason for the failure of his new policies is that he did not have a team that could fully implement his will, nor a group of people who were willing to tell him the truth and propose solutions.
During the decades of his reign, like the previous emperors, the biggest problem he faced was a bunch of idle ministers who found fault with and criticized his behavior.
When these ministers were blaming the emperor for his problems, they all seemed so righteous, as if the world would be destroyed if the emperor did not restrain his own behavior according to their requirements.
But is this really necessary to rule the world?
Although the emperor is a role model for the world, his every move is naturally an important indicator that influences the world's customs.
But how can the world be governed solely by the emperor's personal morality and personal cultivation?
If this is true, then wouldn’t Wang Mang’s New Dynasty become the most holy dynasty in history?
Therefore, when it comes to the proposition of governing the world, we cannot judge based solely on the moral behavior of the emperor.
To truly assess the quality of governance in the world, it all comes down to the four words "civil governance and military achievement."
In Zhu Zaigui's view, the so-called civil governance refers to whether the people of the world can live in peace and contentment, and whether they live with dignity and hope.
Instead of looking at how high the status of scholars is in that era, how many articles and poems have been handed down, or how good at having fun the elegant and refined people are.
As for the so-called military achievements, it does not depend on how many foreign races that offended the majesty of the Celestial Empire the imperial army killed, or how many lands that refused to submit to the king were conquered, but on whether the imperial court can bring lasting peace to the world after conquering these foreign races and lands!
If the imperial court were always caught up in wars, and countless young and strong people who should have been the backbone of the family were thrown into endless wars and bloodshed, then such martial arts, no matter how grand, would be nothing more than a carnival for one or two tyrants!
Therefore, when looking at the four words "civil governance and military achievements", as a ruler who controls and dominates the destiny of a country, one must have a heart of awe and vigilance. One must never learn from Emperor Yang of Sui who spared no effort to create political wonders for the sake of one's own selfish desires and greed.
I thought this was the unprecedented achievement I wanted to achieve.
Little do people know that some achievements seem to be great and immortal.
But in fact, these skills may very well be a gorgeous and deadly poppy flower!
The meal with Emperor Jiajing lasted until the afternoon, and Zhu Zaigui left Wanshou Palace and returned to Wenhua Hall where he was now "working".
When Zhu Zaigui arrived at the Wenhua Hall, before Meng Chongwei could make new tea, Gao Gong, Hai Rui, Yan Maoqing and others were already waiting in front of the Wenhua Hall.
The three of them came under the pretext of expressing gratitude, so Zhu Zaigui had to meet them.
Therefore, Zhu Zaigui had no choice but to let them all in.
Gao Gong took the lead and walked hurriedly in front and entered the Wenhua Hall. He was very anxious.
He couldn't understand why Zhu Zaigui would send him to Nanjing. You know, this stage is a very important moment. He also thought that after entering the cabinet, he would join forces with a group of ministers to petition Emperor Jiajing to formally enthrone Zhu Zaigui as the crown prince, fundamentally confirming Zhu Zaigui's status as the heir to the Ming Dynasty.
However, things haven't started yet, but he has been sent to Nanjing. How can Gao Gong not be nervous? Gao Gong hurried in and bowed to Zhu Zaigui excitedly, "Your Majesty, I don't understand why you want me to go to Nanjing at this time?"
Zhu Zaiqi looked at Gao Gong, who was very excited. He just waved his hand calmly and said, "Mr. Gao, please be patient and have a cup of tea first."
Zhu Zaigui asked the eunuch in Wenhua Hall to prepare tea, and then he gave seats to Gao Gong, Hai Rui, Yan Maoqing and others.
Zhu Zaigui looked at Hai Rui, who had an indifferent and puzzled expression, and Yan Maoqing, who had an excited and awed expression.
Zhu Zaigui said again: "Mr. Gao, look at Hai Qing and Yan Qing, they are very calm."
Gao Gong also looked back at Hai Rui and Yan Maoqing, his anxiety and excitement still lingering.
Can this be the same?
They went to Nanjing to get promoted, who wouldn't be happy?

But as for him, everyone knows that his next stop is the cabinet.
But now, even though he has entered the cabinet, he has to go to Nanjing to serve as the Governor-General of Southern Zhili. What kind of an official position is this?
You must know that whether in the current Ming Dynasty or in other periods throughout the dynasties, as long as the central court is not in decline and local warlords are not in chaos, the only place where scholars can truly cultivate themselves, govern the country and bring peace to the world is the capital.
As for other places, no matter how unique they are, as long as they are sent out, they will be inferior to others.
Moreover, it is still unknown whether he can return to Beijing smoothly and return to the center of political power after being transferred to other places.
Therefore, Gao Gong was very worried that Zhu Zaigui was deceived by some villains, so he gave him a flashy title of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, sent him to Nanjing, and then fooled Zhu Zaigui.
"Your Highness, it's not that I don't want to go to Nanjing, but because I'm in the capital now, I can't leave. I have to protect Your Highness and prevent villains from slandering Your Highness's reputation and ruining Your Highness's future at this time."
Gao Gong said this anxiously, but also sincerely.
The people in the hall, whether it was Zhu Zaigui, Hai Rui, Yan Maoqing and others, they could all feel Gao Gong's anxious mentality. He was not really doing this just for himself. He was truly loyal and wanted to devote himself to Zhu Zaigui until his death.
Zhu Zaigui was deeply moved and relieved when he heard Gao Gong's words.
But that's about it.
Although the political struggle in Beijing is also very important, Nanjing is equally urgent.
Moreover, Zhu Zaigui was confident in his current strength and status. Even if he was unwilling to wait any longer, it would not be a problem for him to launch a coup and seize the throne.
However, for the sake of future political stability, Zhu Zaigui would not be in a hurry to come to power in this way.
After all, the current Emperor Jiajing is not a weird old man who is suspicious and thinks everyone is a traitor.
He still has normal thinking and can provide Zhu Zaigui with some advice and help in other aspects.
Therefore, Zhu Zaigui would naturally not be in a hurry to destroy the hard-won political peace period.
What's more, Emperor Jiajing also told Zhu Zaigui about his health condition, and Zhu Zaigui also confirmed the matter with Li Shizhen.
Therefore, in order to let Emperor Jiajing have a peaceful and smooth old age, Zhu Zaigui would never do something as bloody as rushing to the throne or launching a coup to force the emperor to abdicate.
After all, from ancient times to the present, those who have relied on such means to come to power, except for Li Shimin and Zhu Laosi who have received positive recognition in later generations, most of the others who usurped the throne and seized power will be infamous for all eternity.
Although Zhu Zaigui also believed that he was different from those people, he could also achieve great achievements like Li Shimin and Zhu Laosi.
But this was just what he thought. If he failed, if he messed up, the consequences would be no joke.
What's more, more importantly, Zhu Zaigui does not have a group of capable and brave generals who are obedient to his orders like Li Shimin, nor does he have a group of die-hard fans who have experienced the Jingnan Campaign like Zhu Laosi.
He was counting on his subordinates, who were not 100% sure to follow him to the end, to stage a coup and seize the throne. That was simply a joke!
What if he gets in power and these people hesitate? What should we do?
So, some things cannot be done just by thinking about it.
After all, to put it bluntly, Zhu Zaigui and his men only had some affection between a monarch and his subjects, but they still lacked the kind of affection that could be trusted with one's life.
Therefore, in order to be able to take over power safely in the future, Zhu Zaigui had no need to do such things.
Zhu Zaigui said: "I understand Mr. Gao's intentions. But there are some things I want Mr. Gao to understand."

"I am not an ordinary prince. I am the eldest son of His Majesty and the regent prince of Ming. My identity and status are unshakable. Even if I don't have the title of crown prince, it will not affect my future."
"So, I want Mr. Gao to understand that there is really no need to be too anxious or too concerned about some things. Everything has its own destiny and will not change because of a bunch of scoundrels."
Zhu Zaigui said this with considerable confidence.
After hearing these words, Gao Gong finally calmed down a lot.
But he still didn't understand what this had to do with letting him go to Nanjing?
Does he have to go to Nanjing?
Gao Gong continued, "I understand what Your Majesty means, but I don't understand why you want me to go to Nanjing at this time?"
Zhu Zaigui looked at Gao Gong and said, "I didn't ask you to go alone. Didn't I ask Hai Qing and Yan Qing to go as well? You should calm down and think about why I made such an arrangement. If you can figure this out, then when you arrive in Nanjing, you should understand my painstaking efforts and how much trust I have in you!"
Zhu Zaigui had said so much. After hearing this, Gao Gong, Hai Rui, Yan Maoqing and the other three couldn't help but look at each other and began to think seriously, as if this matter was really not as simple as it seemed.
Does the prince really have a deeper meaning?
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Ask for monthly ticket~~~(End of this chapter)

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