Chapter 441 Who Is Eligible to Inherit the Throne

"Young Master, Your Majesty has decreed to summon Madam."

Lin Shuping came to Liu Zhao and whispered.

Liu Zhao frowned slightly, "Do you know the reason?"

"It is said that His Majesty is worried about the refugees outside the city, so he summoned his wife to ask about the specific situation."

Liu Zhao slowly shook his head, "The situation of the refugees outside the city is the same as asking the Ministry of Household. I'm afraid it's not that simple for the imperial grandfather to summon Xiaojiu at this time."

Lin Shuping whispered, "Young Master, is your Majesty watching the emperor's grandson?"

"Don't talk nonsense."

Lin Shuping quickly pleaded guilty, and secretly glanced outside the door, but no one was eavesdropping.

He added: "Young Master doesn't think so, it doesn't mean that other people don't think so. Madam's ability is second to none among the wives of imperial grandsons. Your Majesty has always attached great importance to Madam. Now, at such a critical moment, His Majesty suddenly summoned Madam. It doesn't make any sense."

Liu Zhao stared at Lin Shuping, "Even if there is a deep meaning, you have to hide your guesses without showing any traces."

The boy's eyes are so scary.

Lin Shuping shuddered, "Old slave remember the teachings of your son."

Liu Zhao said again: "Go outside and watch, don't let people come in."

"Old slave obeys."

People from the Ministry of War Yamen come and go.

Liu Zhao sat in the signing room, like an old monk entering the meditation, no one knew what he was thinking.

...

Gu Jiu came to Xingqing Palace smoothly all the way. After being informed, he followed the servant to the palace to see the emperor.

She had known for a long time that Tianzi had a stroke and hemiplegia, but when she saw it with her own eyes, she realized that Tianzi's condition was more serious than she had guessed.

"Grandson-in-law meets His Majesty!"

"No gift. Get up and talk."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gu Jiu stood up and lowered his head slightly to show respect.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he paid attention to the movements of the emperor.

The Son of Heaven can't play with his right hand,

There is no way to review the memorials, and only people can ghostwrite them.

But listening to the voice, the emperor speaks clearly. Much better than the rumored ambiguity.

It seems that the imperial physicians in the imperial hospital have come up with their real skills to help the emperor adjust his body.

"What's going on outside the South Gate?"

Tianzi asked in a calm tone.

Gu Jiu bowed slightly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is going according to plan. At present, half of the refugees have moved into their new houses. The remaining half of the refugees will all move into their new houses by March or April next year at the latest after this winter. ."

"Oh! You surprised me. I didn't expect things to go so smoothly. You not only solved the food problem of the refugees, but also let them live in new houses. It's amazing!"

"Thanks to His Majesty Hongfu, the refugees will have the opportunity to live in new houses."

The emperor wanted to laugh, but he couldn't.

He hehe twice, since he had a stroke, he has rarely been happy.

"You are very capable."

Gu Jiu had a look of sincerity and fear, "Grandson-in-law is just a little bit luckier than ordinary people."

The emperor beckoned, "Come closer, let me take a good look at you."

Gu Jiu felt a strange feeling in her heart, and subconsciously raised her head to look at the Son of Heaven.

The emperor's eyes are kind.

She looked at Chen Dachang again.

Chen Dachang stood beside the bed, like a piece of wood. When His Majesty didn't need him, he would consciously reduce his presence.

Gu Jiu took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Come closer."

Gu Jiu continued to move forward until he was two steps away from the dragon bed.

This is a relatively safe distance.

The emperor raised his head, his turbid eyes searched her face, as if he wanted to find something.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Jiu heard a delivery proposition.

"Have you ever thought about what to do with the project outside Nancheng Gate when the new emperor succeeds?"

Gu Jiu was shocked.

Even the calm and restrained Chen Dachang changed his face slightly.

Gu Jiu's mouth was dry, "Your Majesty, Hong Fu Qi Tian, ​​will definitely live a hundred years."

Other than that, any answer would be fatal.

The emperor laughed hard, "It seems that you also know very well that the smooth progress of the project outside the Nancheng Gate is all because I am supporting you. When the day I am gone, the new emperor may not be willing to give it to you. The opportunity allows you to continue to operate outside the South City Gate."

Gu Jiu was in a cold sweat, she couldn't guess the meaning of the emperor's piercing of the window paper.

Are you testing her or watching her jokes.

"Don't be afraid, I didn't intend to scare you." The emperor suddenly comforted Gu Jiu.

Gu Jiu felt very strange at the moment.

This is not the emperor in her impression.

In my impression, the emperor would not care about the life and death of others.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She showed weakness appropriately.

The emperor took a breath and continued: "Outside the South City Gate, you have managed well. Tens of thousands of refugees can be properly resettled. This is a great achievement, and no one can deny your credit. But just in case. , I still have to prepare in advance."

Gu Jiu felt uneasy in his heart.

She secretly glanced at Chen Dachang.

Obviously, Chen Dachang didn't know in advance that the Son of Heaven would talk so deeply, and he had no scruples.

"If you have any thoughts on the outside of the South City Gate, feel free to bring them up."

Gu Jiu took a deep breath, "Outside the South City Gate, it's entirely up to Your Majesty to decide."

"Oh! Don't you worry that after a hundred years, the new emperor will embarrass you and forbid you to continue to operate the project outside Nanchengmen?"

Gu Jiu said: "In order to operate the Nancheng Gate, my grandson raised hundreds of thousands of taels and borrowed three million taels from Shaofu Qianzhuang. If someone in the palace does not let my grandson continue to operate, millions of taels will be borrowed. , grandson-in-law is 100% less than 100%."

"You threaten people with money, it may not work." The emperor seemed very happy. Maybe it was because Gu Jiu didn't play tricks and was always telling the truth.

Gu Jiu bowed and said, "Besides that, it's the court's turn to worry about how to settle the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city."

The emperor nodded, "For the officials of the court, refugees are the most annoying thing. They wish that even if the refugees starve to death, they will starve to death at home, don't cause trouble for the government, don't go out and create trouble.

However, no one is willing to wait for death, and the common people cannot survive in their hometowns, so they can only flee the famine and become refugees. Refugees who fled to the capital in the past lived on a meal of gruel every day.

When the weather warmed up in spring, the government forced them out. Year after year, it's been like this. No one cares how many refugees died of disease and starvation during this period. You are the one who changed this situation. "

Gu Jiu was frightened, "My granddaughter-in-law needs a lot of labor to build a house. There are many young laborers among those refugees. It's a pity to waste it."

The emperor nodded approvingly, "You're right, it is not only a waste to leave those young and strong laborers alone and watch them go to the mountains as bandits, it is not only a waste but also corrupts the country and society. You can organize the young and strong laborers among the refugees and make them keep their peace. very impressive."

"Grandson-in-law is not as good as His Majesty said. Grandson-in-law just happened to meet and did what she should do."

In front of the Son of Heaven, Gu Jiu still had to be humble.

The emperor smiled, "Just in case, I plan to set up a county outside the South City Gate in advance. Feel free to tell me what you think."

Gu Jiu's heart beat faster and his palms were sweating.

I'm coming!

Finally, we will set up a county outside Nanchengmen.

She took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible: "Your Majesty really wants to set up a county outside the Nancheng Gate, and my grandson-in-law has only one request."

"Say!"

"My daughter-in-law hopes that the person I recommend will be the first magistrate of this county. The project outside Nancheng Gate will continue, and my daughter-in-law doesn't want anyone to hinder her."

The emperor smiled, "You don't hide yourself at all."

Gu Jiu lowered her head and said, "In front of Your Majesty, grandson-in-law doesn't dare to play tricks."

The emperor asked, "Who do you want to recommend as the first county magistrate?"

Gu Jiu took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and said as calmly as possible: "My grandson-in-law recommends my brother Gu Yu to be the first county magistrate."

"Why recommend him?"

Gu Jiu said calmly: "He is famous and has been with his father for many years. He has a good understanding of people's livelihood and economics. He also has rich experience in dealing with disputes between ordinary people. Absolutely the perfect candidate for county magistrate. No one is better suited for this position."

"Oh! Where is he now?"

"He is now an official in the Ministry of Housing, an eighth-rank official."

The emperor smiled, "Eighth-rank clerk, serving as seventh-rank county magistrate is not shocking to the world. I will consider this person you recommend."

Gu Jiu couldn't hide his excitement, "My grandson-in-law thanked your majesty for the elder brother Gu Yu."

"Don't be too happy. There is a county outside the South City Gate, and many people are staring at the position of the county magistrate. Your clan brother, who is famous, has no other advantages other than rich experience."

Gu Jiu hurriedly said, "These granddaughters know all about it. Therefore, Your Majesty needs to worry about it."

The emperor stared at her, "Are you sure I will help you?"

Gu Jiu blinked, "I believe that Your Majesty does not want the resettlement of refugees outside Nancheng Gate to be abandoned halfway. Moreover, as the news of the capital spreads all over the world, more and more refugees will flood into the capital in the future.

Without the granddaughter-in-law, these refugees would, as in the past, hang their lives with a meal of porridge every day, and then be driven out in the spring, either die or become bandits and bring disaster to the place. "

The emperor said, "You are not humble at all."

Gu Jiu hurriedly lowered her head, "My grandson is just telling the truth."

The emperor waved his hand and told all the people who were serving to step back.

Chen Dachang looked surprised.

"Retreat!" The emperor was a little impatient.

Chen Dachang took the people and hurriedly bowed and stepped back.

What does the emperor mean by this?

Only Mrs. Zhao was left to speak in the bedroom, what did the emperor want to say? Are you going to tell the story behind you?

Or is it about the crown prince?

All kinds of thoughts turned in Chen Dachang's mind, and there were hidden worries in his heart.

It is extremely rare for the Son of Heaven to drive him out and leave someone to speak alone.

He was vaguely uneasy.

There is also Gu Jiu who is equally disturbed.

What does the Son of Heaven mean?

What would you say to leave her alone?

Is it too late for her to leave now?

Don't give a title!

She only has one life, and she really doesn't want to die.

She is also looking forward to a long life.

"His Majesty?"

"Don't panic, I just have something to say."

At this moment, the emperor is a sick old man. What the majesty of the emperor is completely useless.

"Sit down, you are tired from standing. I look up and look at you and feel tired too."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gu Jiu sat down on the round stool beside the bed, extremely upright.

The emperor took a breath and talked a little more today.

"Among so many princes, who do you think is suitable to inherit the throne?"

Gu Jiu: "..."

They all said not to give her a proposition. How dare she answer such a deadly question. She is not tired of living.

She looked terrified, "Establishing a crown prince is a matter of national destiny and a century of national fortune. How can I discuss this matter with my grandson-in-law and a wife. Your Majesty might as well convene the courtiers to discuss it together."

"It doesn't matter! There is no third person here. You can say whatever you want. I forgive you. Even if you say that King Lining is the crown prince, I understand."

The emperor looked at Gu Jiu expectantly.

Gu Jiu was under a lot of pressure, "My grandson doesn't understand the country's important affairs, and I don't know who is suitable to inherit the throne."

"Oh? Why do I think you're not telling the truth."

"What grandson-in-law said is indeed the truth, and grandson-in-law does not dare to deceive His Majesty."

The emperor smiled, "I want to hear the real truth from you."

Gu Jiu lowered her head, how could she dare to tell the truth about this kind of proposition.

"If you don't tell the truth, how can I let you go."

The emperor suddenly increased his tone, as if threatening.

Gu Jiu felt aggrieved.

"Your Majesty really wants to hear the truth from my grandson-in-law? But the truth is not pleasant."

The Emperor tried his best to make a smile, "I live to this day, do you think I still care about whether I listen? I just want to hear the truth now, not flattery."

Gu Jiu nodded, "I see."

"Then are you willing to tell the truth?"

Gu Jiu pondered for a while, and said, "My grandson doesn't know much about your uncles. If you want to say who is suitable to inherit the throne, there is no answer in your heart. This is the truth."

"Where's King Ning?" the emperor asked.

Gu Jiu shook his head, "Grandson-in-law is not sure if the prince is suitable."

"Listen to what you mean, isn't there a prince suitable?"

Gu Jiu nodded, "In my eyes, no one is suitable to inherit the great line. Because no one is born suitable to be an emperor."

The emperor smiled, "If you said it, you didn't say it. You are obviously taking advantage of it."

Gu Jiu looked innocent, "This is indeed the truth of my grandson-in-law. My grandson-in-law doesn't think that someone is born to sit in that position, it is all cultivated.

But even if he accepts the acquired training, after he actually sits in that position, there will still be problems of one kind or another. In the final analysis, as an emperor, the test is the ability of leadership and balance. "

The emperor nodded, "There is some truth to what he said. It seems that I am a failed father and emperor, and I have not been able to train a qualified heir."

Gu Jiu buried her head very low, feeling like she was about to die.

She actually said so many rebellious things in front of the emperor, the emperor would not settle accounts after the autumn.

The emperor stared at her, "The tall one is taller than the short one, among the many princes, who is the best?"

Gu Jiu shook her head, "My grandson-in-law doesn't know."

She really doesn't know.

She and the princes are separated by a generation, and they only meet once or twice throughout the year.

I don't know why to judge.

She felt that the emperor's brain must be flooded. It is inappropriate to ask her a layman for such a major matter.

If you want to ask, you should also ask the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs.

Although the civil and military ministers all have selfish intentions, they are in constant contact with the princes, and they have an understanding of their character and abilities.

The emperor smiled, "Don't you know? Actually, I don't know either."

In the past, the emperor thought he knew every son.

Now, in the face of the inheritance of the throne, when an heir must be chosen as soon as possible, the emperor suddenly discovered that he did not really understand his sons.

I don't know, how should I choose?

Gu Jiu couldn't help, and could only be silent.

The Son of Heaven is also silent.

In the palace, the atmosphere was a little depressed, making her breathless.

I don't know how long it took, the emperor opened his eyes and looked at her, "Manage the project outside Nancheng Gate well, do things with one heart and one mind, and don't live up to my expectations for you."

"Grandson-in-law obeys!"

"Go back!"

"Your Majesty take care of your health, grandson-in-law retire."

Gu Jiu bowed and left the bedroom, completely relieved.

"return!"

Gu Jiu shuddered and looked back at the emperor.

Mingming was about to leave, but the emperor went crazy again and asked her to come back.

The emperor stared at her, "I heard that Liu Zhao didn't take a concubine, is it your reason or his reason?"

Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment, then she regained her senses and said calmly, "Maybe there are more reasons for my grandson-in-law."

The emperor frowned, "You didn't let him take a concubine?"

Gu Jiu nodded boldly without denying it.

The emperor was curious, "Why? Liu Zhao is the grandson of the emperor, and he doesn't even have a concubine by his side, which is really outrageous."

Gu Jiu took a deep breath and said boldly, "My grandson-in-law won't let your son-in-law take a concubine because my grandson-in-law does not allow anyone to threaten the interests of my children. Neither concubines or concubines will do."

"You think it's quite beautiful." The emperor said vaguely, "Liu Zhao's identity is the grandson of the emperor, he can't live without a concubine."

Gu Jiu said, "If Young Master Zhao insists on taking a concubine, then I will do anything to ensure the interests of me and my child."

"How are you going to do anything?"

Gu Jiu smiled softly, "I have money, and money can make a ghost run the mill. If I spill a lot of money, I can't solve a few women."

The emperor smiled, and the smile was natural, "You are confident. Step back!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"