The more Zhu Yijun thought about it, the more he felt that what Wang Xijue said was right. Facing the struggle for the throne, he was isolated and helpless. Not only did the officials not support him, even his own mother did not support him.
Towards his mother, Zhu Yijun feared and respected her, not daring to go against her wishes. Back when Zhang Juzheng was still alive, in the sixth year of the Wan Li Dynasty, Zhu Yijun drank too much, and was almost deposed by his mother. Instead, his younger brother, King Lu, ascended the throne. From then on, Zhu Yijun knew that his mother was biased towards the younger one, and did not like the older one. She only saw that he was old enough to ascend the throne.
In the tenth year of the Wan Li Dynasty, his mother's political skills were on full display. She cooperated with Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao, and managed to turn the situation around. This was something that Zhu Yijun did not deny. Under the current circumstances, he could not deny it. Hence, he could not go against his mother's wishes. Earlier on, in order to ensure his own position, he had spoiled his younger brother into a spoiled brat. He allowed him to do whatever he wanted, and covered up for him. This caused King Lu's reputation to worsen.
When it was time for King Lu's wedding, he decided to carry it all the way to the West, tormenting the officials and the Imperial Court. Millions of taels of silver were spent, and the treasury was almost emptied by him. When he arrived at the Imperial Court, he continued to cover up for King Lu's actions, completely destroying any possibility of King Lu threatening his throne. Although the price was high, it wasn't meaningless. At the very least, no one could threaten his throne anymore. His mother could no longer use his brother to threaten him.
However, this also caused a rift between him and his mother. Empress Dowager Li was indeed old, and did not care about the affairs of the imperial court. However, she was very smart. She knew what Zhu Yijun wanted to do, and wanted to restrain her son. However, how could she tolerate her son's sweet nothings? Over time, she let it be. As long as her son was happy, who cared about anything else?
But in her heart, Empress Dowager Li was not satisfied with Zhu Yijun's means of destroying her own brother. So after Zhang Juzheng died and Zhu Yijun took over the government, she did not provide any help to Zhu Yijun. She also did not make use of the prestige she had in the court. Sometimes when the Empress Dowager could help the Emperor, she did not ask. When it came to the struggle for the foundation of the country, Zhu Yijun asked for her help and asked her to endorse, but the Empress Dowager flatly refused.
If you don't let your younger brother be the emperor, why should I let your son's younger brother be the emperor? No!
Zhu Yijun was dumbfounded. Only now did he realize how he had offended his mother. Make it up to her? How could he make it up to her? His mother's resentment towards him was very heavy. No matter what he said, she would not provide any help. When the officials forced the Empress Dowager to abdicate, Empress Dowager Li also stayed deep in the palace and did not come out. She did not give Zhu Yijun any support. Zhu Yijun really had no choice but to think of a way to delay this matter until three years later.
Soon, the three years were up. During this time, Zhu Yijun thought of ways to repair his relationship with his mother, hoping that she would support him. As long as the Empress Dowager issued a decree to support the Emperor, Zhu Yijun's situation would be much better.
Zhu Yijun continued to give King Lu money, food and toys. He allowed King Lu to do whatever he wanted. However, none of this moved the old lady. She did not do anything, and was even unwilling to see him. Finally, he gave up. He knew that he would not be able to get any help from the Empress Dowager. Zhu Yijun knew that no matter what, he could only rely on himself.
But how could he rely on himself?
He could not sleep for the entire night, as he racked his brains to think of a solution. Finally, the good news that he wanted came. In fact, there were two of them.
One was Xiao Ruxun's great victory, which helped him solve his most serious financial problem in one go, filling up his pockets. With money came confidence, and with soldiers came confidence. Xiao Ruxun was personally promoted and appointed by him. Now that she had made a great contribution, her prestige had soared, and the status and prestige of the Emperor had also risen accordingly. This was an increase in influence.
The other was the more important matter, which was the loyalty of the Prime Ministers. Before Wang Xijue, all the previous Prime Ministers had gone against the Emperor. Ever since the death of Zhang Juzheng, and Zhao Zhigao's retirement, Wang Xijue had never received any support from the Prime Ministers. However, the Prime Ministers were very important to the Emperor, and it was a place where the Emperor and his ministers fought. If he could not get the support of the ministers, it would be fatal for the Emperor.
Forget it, one after another. Zhu Yijun did not know why those old fogeys kept coming at him. Zhu Yijun did not believe it. One after another, he removed the Prime Ministers. Finally, a traitor within the Prime Ministers appeared.
Zhu Yijun knew very well that Wang Xijue was definitely not his friend, because he was a civil official. But at the same time, he was not the friend of the ministers either, because he had submitted to the Emperor. In the eyes of the civil officials, those who submitted to the Emperor and obeyed the Emperor's orders were enemies. In Zhu Yijun's eyes, the enemy of my enemy was my friend. Regardless of whether Wang Xijue would become his friend or not, at this moment, Wang Xijue's loyalty was very important.
Therefore, Zhu Yijun decided to accept Wang Xijue and adopt Wang Xijue's strategy. He wanted him to change from the vanguard of the ministers attacking the Emperor to the frontline defender defending the Emperor against the attacks of the ministers. He wanted to attract the attention of the ministers to him. In any case, as long as the Emperor did not make a move and did not make a sound, no one could remove the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. Even if he lost his prestige, he could follow Yan Song's example and stay in the Cabinet to protect himself.
What's more, Wang Xijue's suggestion was very tempting. He used the righteous name of the eldest legitimate son to stall for time. As long as there was no candidate for the position of Crown Prince, there would still be a chance for things to turn around. As long as he persevered, there would always be hope. He did not want to be Liu Bang, and he looked down on Liu Bang. If he could not even decide the succession of his own throne, how could he be called an Emperor? If he could not even protect his most beloved son, how could he be called an Emperor?
When he was young, Zhu Yijun was oppressed too much by Zhang Juzheng, which made him particularly rebellious. His resistance was even stronger, and the period of resistance was very long. The only difference between him and Wu Zong was that Wu Zong put it into action, but he did not. He only did not use violence and did not cooperate.
"What you said is very much what I like. Very well, I will send an order to the Cabinet and have you write it as an imperial edict. Wang Xijue, don't let me down!"
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Xijue meaningfully. Wang Xijue knew that this was the proof of allegiance that Zhu Yijun wanted from him. After handing over the proof of allegiance and choosing a side, he would be on the Emperor's side. There would be no turning back, and he might even have to bear the infamy of being a snake and a rat. However, compared to power, all of this was too far away. What he needed was power and status!
For this, he would do anything.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Wang Xijue finally put his butt in the right position.
Zhu Yijun was very satisfied. After all these years, the first cabinet minister who swore allegiance to him and gave him advice finally appeared. The feeling of remotely commanding the cabinet bigwigs was so comfortable, and the authority of the Emperor was so wonderful. At this time, the long-silent desire for power in Zhu Yijun's heart suddenly exploded.
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