Zhu Yijun chose his words carefully. Soon, he finished writing a secret edict and handed it to someone to seal it. Then, he chose the most reliable person and sent it safely to Xiao Ruxun. He also had to make sure that no one other than Xiao Ruxun knew about it.
The person in charge of delivering the letter was Zhang Jing, the director of the Eastern Factory. He was the right-hand man chosen by Zhang Jing, the head of the notorious Eastern Factory. Zhang Jing might not be so well-known, but once the things he did were exposed, it was enough to be known. This guy was the key figure who urged the emperor to overthrow Feng Bao and end Zhang Juzheng's reform.
After Feng Bao's downfall, Zhang Jing, as a person who had done a meritorious service, successfully gained the emperor's trust. He was appointed as the director of the Eastern Factory and in charge of the notorious Eastern Factory. Compared to the Imperial Bodyguard, the Eastern Factory had a worse reputation. Every now and then, there would be one or two commanders of the Imperial Bodyguard who were slightly kinder. However, there were definitely no good people in the history of the Eastern Factory, especially Zhang Jing.
But it should be said that Zhang Jing was still very capable. Otherwise, he would not have gained the emperor's trust. Basically, he could do everything the emperor asked him to do. Zhang Jing and Luo Sigong played a very important role in the process of reverse brainwashing Zhu Yijun. It was they who collected a large number of witnesses and material evidence to help Zhu Yijun wake up from the "Sage Dream" and recognize the shameless face of the scholar-officials.
Now that Zhu Yijun had decided to take this crucial step, he could not do without the help of the only two organizations left to him by his ancestors who could help him at a critical moment.
Zhang Jing had chosen one of his adopted sons, Liu Wei, to handle this matter. Liu Wei was agile and had a flexible mind. He was a rare talent. Zhang Jing relied on him very much. This time, there was such an important task. Liu Wei not only took on the task of delivering the letter, but also had to take on the task of persuading Xiao Ruxun in case her mind was shaken.
Zhu Yijun could not guarantee that Xiao Ruxun would listen to him. There was a difference between 99% and 100%, and this 1% difference required Liu Wei to make up for it with his own ability. On this point, Zhu Yijun still trusted the person Zhang Jing chose.
Liu Wei wanted to take advantage of the quietest time in the palace in the afternoon to secretly sneak out of the palace. When he reached the secret entrance that he used to leave the palace, he was just about to enter when a large net suddenly fell from the sky and covered his entire body. Then, a large group of strong eunuchs rushed out, each holding a stick of water and fire. They beat Liu Wei fiercely while he was trapped in the net. After about five or six minutes, Liu Wei no longer screamed, and there was no sign of life at all.
A grand eunuch in gorgeous clothes, surrounded by several small eunuchs, walked over. A junior eunuch who was responsible for beating Liu Wei to death handed over a secret bloodstained letter. The grand eunuch looked at it and saw that it was addressed to Minister Xiao. He knew that this was what they were looking for.
Then, the grand eunuch looked at the bloody ground with disgust. He frowned and covered his nose. He angrily shouted, "Get rid of this immediately!"
"As you wish!"
The junior eunuch quickly led his subordinates to clean up the scene.
The Head Eunuch led the group into a palace. Not long after, an old woman in a gorgeous palace dress walked out of the palace. Surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, she headed toward the center of power in the palace. Just like she did every morning more than ten years ago, she did what she did every morning.
Zhu Yijun was busy making arrangements. Just as he was about to deal with the aftermath, someone suddenly reported from outside the palace that the Empress Dowager's carriage was heading towards the Emperor's bedroom. Zhu Yijun's heart tightened. He thought that it was strange. Empress Dowager Li's relationship with him had become indifferent. They rarely contacted each other. Even if they did contact each other, it was because they had to. For example, the Emperor's birthday, the Empress Dowager's birthday, or the worship of the ancestors, etc. Normally, Empress Dowager Li didn't want to see him at all. She didn't even personally come to find him. Every time, he would brace himself and hope to get his mother's help. Then, he would run back dejectedly.
At this time, Empress Dowager Li's appearance was not normal. Zhu Yijun, with his sharp senses as an Emperor, sensed that things were not simple. Empress Dowager Li's arrival seemed to indicate something.
Thus, Zhu Yijun gave the order. The tightly packed command center immediately scattered like birds and beasts. It returned to the Emperor's bedroom, which gave people a sense of lazy, powerless, quiet, and peaceful appearance.
Zhu Yijun displayed his superb acting skills when dealing with Zhang Juzheng. In an instant, he changed from the Emperor's state of seizing power to the Emperor's state of neglect. As the saying goes, life is all about acting. The Emperor's family was no different. It was even more classic. From the Empress Dowager to the Emperor, to the concubines, to the palace maids and eunuchs, who didn't know how to act?
That's why we've always emphasized acting skills! Acting skills!
Zhu Yijun had a graceful, luxurious, and lazy appearance. He copied a calligraphy piece by Mi Fu on his desk. The so-called four great calligraphers of the Song Dynasty were Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai. Zhu Yijun quite liked to practice calligraphy in his free time. He used to do it often. In his opinion, it would not arouse the Empress Dowager's suspicion.
Soon, the eunuch who announced the Empress Dowager's arrival arrived. He shouted at the top of his voice, "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
As the Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Li was the only person in the entire Daming Dynasty who could make the Emperor kneel and be personally welcomed by the Emperor. Although Empress Dowager Li no longer interfered with the affairs of the court, the Iron Triangle of Daming from the first ten years of the Wanli Dynasty still had a lot of prestige. After the tenth year of the Wanli Dynasty, as long as Empress Dowager Li said something, Zhu Yijun could smoothly solve many things. However, Empress Dowager Li had never given Zhu Yijun any support. This was one of the reasons why Zhu Yijun had a falling out with the court officials.
Although angry, although resentful, although sad, Zhu Yijun had no choice but to follow Empress Dowager Li's wishes. Daming the idea of using filial piety to rule the country. Filial piety was higher than the sky and deeper than the sea.
Zhu Yijun put on a smiling face and walked out of the bedroom. He personally went to the entrance to greet Empress Dowager Li. Seeing Empress Dowager Li's carriage arrive at the entrance, he saw Empress Dowager Li slowly get out of the carriage. Zhu Yijun quickly walked up to Empress Dowager Li and held her hand.
"Son has been busy with state affairs and did not have time to visit mother. This is truly son's unfilial piety. Mother, please forgive your son's unfilial piety."
Zhu Yijun's big round face was full of smiles. It was very interesting. When Empress Dowager Li saw this, she couldn't help but think of the time when they were in the Wang Fu. This big round face made her the happiest. However, with the passage of time, the feelings between mother and son had long been tossed to god knows where. The harmony between them was just a pretense. If it wasn't for today's matter, Empress Dowager Li would not have been willing to see this face.
"It's fine, it's fine. Aijia saw that the weather was good today and felt very comfortable. Aijia also thought that Emperor is busy with state affairs and was worried about Emperor's health. Aijia had people make some of aijia's best dishes for Emperor to try."
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