After Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang executed Prime Minister Hu Weiyong, he abolished the position of Prime Minister who had existed for thousands of years, and at the same time abolished the Secretariat and Menxia Province, leaving only the Secretariat, but no chief secretary, or even the left and right servants. In this way, the emperor was the six ministers. At the same time, the Inspectorate, Tongzhengsi, and Dali Temple, a total of nine departments were called the "Nine Ministers" and the power was parallel.

During the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty, the central government agency of the Ming Dynasty, the Taishi, Taifu, Taibao (Three Dukes), Shaoshi, Shaofu, and Shaobao (Three Gu), as the emperor's assistants and assisted in the administration of politics. After the Ming Dynasty came to power, the Three Dukes and Three Gu were abolished, and the cabinet was renamed, and the cabinet was established, and the official rank was five ranks, to help the emperor handle the government affairs. At this time, the cabinet was only a state consulting agency. In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, it gradually evolved into an important force in decision-making and state affairs.

After the founding of the cabinet, the Prime Minister firmly controlled the decision-making power of the original prime minister in his own hands, and divided the government power to the cabinet, and the administrative power to the six ministries (the Ministry of Justice exercised the judicial power, and the Ministry of War exercised part of the military power), and part of the judicial power was distributed to the Inspectorate and Dali Temple. The military power was firmly controlled by the Ming Chengzu. Although the Inspectorate had the military troops, it did not mobilize the power of the land. The Ministry of War was only responsible for military training and weapons and equipment management and other administrative affairs. However, the governors of the Governor's Office of the Five Army were all heroes who followed the Ming Chengzu to seize the country and the land and the land, and were prominent Dukes and Marquis of the Land.

Just now, the people named by Chengzu of Ming Dynasty can be said to be the highest power group in the Ming Dynasty. Last night, the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi was seriously ill, and the Imperial Doctor said that he had a life of only three or five years at most, and at least three or five months. This morning, Chengzu of Ming Dynasty gathered these top assistant officials to discuss matters in Wenyuan Pavilion, and it is probably most of the matter with the Crown Prince.

Unexpectedly, after entering Wenyuan Pavilion, the first thing Ming Chengzu did not say about the prince's affairs, but said to Ji Gang with a sinister face: "Ji Aiqing, I have something inconvenient to say in the court. Now I ask you, do you already know that Lin Yuan was released from being acquitted by Yang Aiqing, so I deliberately used the excuse to collect the body, wanting me to pay attention to this matter so that he can cure him a crime of resisting the imperial edict, right?"

Ji Gang was so scared that he knelt on the side and kowtowed repeatedly.

Ming Chengzu snorted heavily: "I have said many times that you don't fight. Do you regard my words as wind in your ears? You think I don't know? Just by your twilight twists and turns around, you are just insisting the order and not following it, your heart will be subdued!"

Ji Gang had never heard Ming Chengzu speak so harshly to him. He was so scared that his face turned pale and did not dare to speak except kowtow.

When Ji Gang used to frame other ministers, Chengzu of Ming Dynasty always obeyed and smooth sailing. But since Yang Qiuchi came to the capital, Ji Gang found that he was controlled everywhere and the emperor didn't listen much. Now the emperor pointed out his idea and even directly determined that he was disobeying the order. This was a serious crime of beheading, so why couldn't he be frightened?

Ming Chengzu said again: "Ji Aiqing. You must remember it, so you won't be an example! From now on, whether you two are directly facing each other or asking others to help you with the trouble, as long as I find out, I will definitely punish him for his crime of resisting the order. Do you understand?"

Ji Gang kowtowed and said, "I am...I am engraved in my heart! I will never dare to do it again."

Yang Qiuchi also bowed and said, "I understand."

Although the Ming Chengzu exposed Ji Gang's trick of killing people with a knife and scolding him hard, Yang Qiuchi was not happy at all, because this was equivalent to blocking himself from intercepting Ji Gang's case through the inspector's inspection. The second prince's expansion of recruitment of troops was not yet sufficient evidence to prove that he expanded recruitment of troops for rebellion. He could not be exposed.

Although Ming Chengzu blocked Ji Gang's way to fix Yang Qiuchi, he also blocked Yang Qiuchi's way to expose Ji Gang's crimes. From this point of view, it was obvious that Ming Chengzu was still safeguarding Ji Gang, and he also knew that Ji Gang had done a lot of bad things. If you really want to investigate, any number of them would be enough to cut off his head, but this was not the result of Ming Chengzu's goal.

After the Ming Chengzu asked Ji Gang to calm down, he said, "I believe all my dear friends have already known that the prince's health has always been poor and often has heartache. He had another attack yesterday. It was very critical. Fortunately, the treatment was timely and there was no serious problem. However, with the prince's current physical condition, it may be difficult to be competent for the position of the prince. I want to hear what good ideas you have?"

Yang Qiuchi felt a little sad after hearing the words of Chengzu Ming. Although Chengzu Ming did not say directly that he wanted to change the prince, the meaning was almost the same. Smart people knew it when they heard it. Sure enough, Qiu Fu, the left governor of the Central Army Governor's Office, stepped forward first and said: "Long live, since the prince is no longer able to perform the position of the prince, he should change the prince as soon as possible. I think that the second prince is brave and good at fighting, and has good leadership. I followed Long Live to fight on the battlefield in the Jingnan Battle, worked hard and made great contributions, and established a lofty prestige among the soldiers. Therefore, I dared to propose the second prince to be the prince to protect our Ming Dynasty for thousands of years."

When Qiu Fu spoke, the governors of the Five Army Governors' Office also made a statement, discussing Qiu Fudi's proposal, and even Xue Lu also discussed. They all formed friendships with the second prince Zhu Gaochi in the Jingnan Campaign, so of course they supported Zhu Gaochi. Xue Lu had a grudge with Ji Gang, but they also supported the second prince Zhu Gaochi.

Ming Chengzu smiled and nodded, turned to look at a group of civil servants: "You can talk too."

Ji Gang stepped forward: "I think what the generals said is very true. Now there are Tatars in the north, Wats and Japanese pirates in the east. These powerful enemies have been peeping at our Ming Dynasty for a long time. They have attacked our borders many times, killed our border people, and plundered our property. After many times of the imperial army, the enemy army feared the Long Live's civil and military strategy and dared not take up the battle lightly. The second prince is wise and powerful, and has made many military achievements. Only if he is made the crown prince can he keep our Ming Dynasty stable as a rock."

Hu Guang, the chief assistant of the cabinet, stepped forward: "This matter must not be done! Although the prince is in good health, the eldest son inherits the throne. This rule has been held in all dynasties. The prince has not made any mistakes. It is not a big mistake to abandon the prince on the grounds of being in good health. As for protecting the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's command in person, it is a last resort, but it cannot be extended. Otherwise, if the emperor fails, how can he deal with the government and the country? If the war requires the emperor to do it personally, what should the generals in the court do?"

Although Hu Guang's words were sharp, they hit the center of gravity of the issue of changing the prince, which is difficult to refute.

Yang Shiqi, a scholar in the cabinet, came out and said, "Long live, the prince is kind and filial. He will read all things in the ancestral temple, sacrifices, and sacrificial utensils. Last year, he enjoyed it and started to be a wind. The doctor said to him. His Highness said, "The khan dared not take a sacrificial sacrifice." The prince scolded him, "The emperor ordered me, will I send someone to serve him?" So he personally sacrificed himself. After the sacrifice, he sweated all over his body, and did not voluntarily do not medicine. Therefore, the minister thinks that the prince's position must be known, and he will change his mistakes, and he will love his lover. He will never let down His Majesty's entrustment. Such generous and kindness is the way to be the king. Therefore, I believe that the position of the prince cannot be changed."

Yang Rong, a bachelor of the cabinet, also listed: "Long live, I am the one who approves the words of the two scholars. The prince cannot be replaced. Although the Japanese pirates are eyeing each other, they are not enough to shake the country of the Ming Dynasty. For example, today's peace, since ancient times, the kings of peace and prosperity have all been kind as kind as the prince. In the future, the prince will inherit the throne and will surely protect the generals of the Ming Dynasty for thousands of years."

Ji Gang sneered, as if he was talking to himself: "The prince himself has already been sick and ointment...what has it been, why have you been for thousands of years?"

Yang Qiuchi smiled and said, "Mr. Ji, Your Highness is only 'heart numb', which means that the heart and spleen are deficient in blood and evil is invading the bloodline. This is a small disease, and you can calm your heart and recuperate. You will definitely recover. Why is the disease covered with ointment...what?"

Ji Gang said: "Oh? Lord Yang is also proficient in medical skills after hearing this?"

"I dare not be proficient, I know a little bit."

Ming Chengzu Qi said: "Yang Aiqing, can you cure your illness?"

Yang Qiuchi graduated from Medical University. Before studying forensics courses, he received systematic Western medicine education and clinical internships. However, he was unable to cook without rice. Without Western medicine or testing equipment, he could not do anything. However, he knew that the "heart paralysis" mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine is rheumatoid heart disease. This heart disease is an immune disease. In severe cases, it can cause the heart valve to thicken, causing the valve to be narrowed or incomplete. The main treatment method for this disease is to undergo surgical treatment, valvular plasty or even valve replacement surgery.

Traditional Chinese medicine has certain efficacy in early rheumatoid heart disease. When it is severe, the effect will not be great. It can only be relieved and cannot be cured. Although Yang Qiuchi knows this, he does not have surgical instruments and equipment, and secondly, he does not know thoracic surgery. For traditional Chinese medicine, he only knows some skin and fur. Both imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital are proficient in traditional Chinese medicine and have no choice. What can he do? The reason why he deliberately weakens the disease in the prince is simply to prevent the replacement of the prince.

Now the emperor asked, Yang Qiuchi dared not brag about his cowhide. This is like a mountain when he sees a doctor. If he doesn't do it, he will die. He can only smile awkwardly: "I... I am only good at solving cases, but I am not good at seeing a doctor."

Cabinet Scholar Yang Shiqi said again: "If the emperor is worried that the prince is in good health, he can add the crown prince Zhu Zhanji as the crown prince to prevent accidents."

Yang Shiqi's suggestion was immediately approved by other civil officials. After all, it is an indisputable fact that the prince Zhu Gaochi was in poor health and could not be avoided. The main purpose of the Ming Dynasty's Chengzu convened everyone to discuss today is to solve this problem. If the prince Zhu Gaochi cannot be abolished, the problem will not be solved, but if Zhu Gaochi's son Zhu Zhanji was appointed as the crown prince, the problem will be solved.

Yang Qiuchi admired in his heart, it was still these civil officials who were so smart that they came up with such a subrogation inheritance idea. It was so amazing!

Ming Chengzu also had a feeling of his heart. He had this idea before, but the prince's condition was not so serious at that time. Now that he mentioned this matter again, his eyes lit up.

Although Emperor Chengzu of Ming Dynasty did not like the prince Zhu Gaochi very much, he loved Zhu Zhanji, the eldest son of Zhu Gaochi, the eldest grandson of the Ming Dynasty. It was a bit like a relative of different generations.

According to legend, when the Ming Chengzu was still the king of Yan, on the night of Zhu Zhanji's birth, the Ming Chengzu had a dream. He dreamed that his father Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a jade gui with the words "Translation of descendants, and will prosper forever". Ming Chengzu thought that his father sent him the throne to him. After waking up from the dream, he was happily thinking about the scene in the dream. When he heard that the grandson was born, it was reported that the grandson was born, which made Ming Chengzu believe that the scene in the dream would be confirmed in the grandson in the future.

When Zhu Zhanji was over a hundred days old, Ming Chengzu learned that Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang had passed away. Ming Chengzu always felt that his father Zhu Yuanzhang's heroic spirit entered the eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji, which was similar to a reincarnated spirit child, and he was more intimate with this child. In addition, Zhu Zhanji was smart since childhood and liked to study, which made him even more loved by the Ming Chengzu.

When it comes to establishing who is the crown prince, Ming Chengzu has always been hesitant. He has never made up his mind to establish his eldest son Zhu Gaochi as the crown prince. At that time, Xie Jin, the chief minister of the local cabinet, once insisted on establishing Zhu Gaochi as the crown prince. He said at that time: "The eldest son of the emperor is kind and filial, and the world is in his heart." Chengzu did not say anything. Xie Jin also said: "Good saint grandson!" It means Zhu Zhanji. Chengzu then made up his mind to establish Zhu Gaochi as the crown prince. Therefore, Zhu Gaochi was able to become the crown prince, which was largely due to his son Zhu Zhanji's deep love for Ming Chengzu.

Now Yang Shiqi mentioned this incident, which moved Ming Chengzu. Although he did not like the crown prince Zhu Gaochi and preferred the second prince Zhu Gaoxu, Ming Chengzu's love for the imperial grandson Zhu Zhanji was no less than Zhu Gaoxu. If Zhu Gaoxu was changed to the crown prince, Ming Chengzu's eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji would not be the emperor in the future. Therefore, Ming Chengzu had to choose one of these two people.

Ming Chengzu was very hesitant and glanced at the group of Wencheng military generals below the stage. The generals supported the second prince Zhu Gaoxu. The civil ministers supported the eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji, and both of them were deeply favored by themselves. What should we do? Just when hesitated, he saw Yang Qiuchi at a glance, and he didn't express his opinion. He asked casually: "Yang Aiqing, what about your opinion?"

At this moment, Yang Qiuchi was fetching water in his heart with fifteen buckets of water. He knew that it had reached the most critical moment and that it was time to decide his life and death. Ming Chengzu had different choices at this fork, and would directly determine his future and destiny.

If the Ming Chengzu chose to maintain Zhu Gaochi's position as the crown prince and added Zhu Zhanji as the crown prince, the head on his neck would basically be stable and his future would be bright; if the Ming Chengzu chose to abolish the crown prince and change the second prince of the nine clans, Zhu Gaoxu, as the crown prince after he ascended the throne. Then the heads of his family and his family would be just around the corner.

Never let the second situation happen! At all costs!

At this moment, when Ming Chengzu asked about his opinion, Yang Qiuchi had no choice but to take a gamble. If he didn't succeed, he would become a good person.

Yang Qiuchi stepped out and bowed and said, "Long live, I have something to report to you. This matter has something to do with whom I am a crown prince. I need to report it to you alone."

■Gang stared at Yang Qiuchi in confusion.

■■■What the hell is he doing, and he doesn’t know what he wants to report to.

Ming Chengzu was also a little surprised, but Ming Chengzu knew that Yang Qiuchi had been the deputy commander of the Jinyiwei for nearly half a year, and had established his own intelligence network in the capital. Perhaps he had discovered some important situation. He nodded slightly and said, "The matter of establishing a crown prince is uncertain for the time being. Yang Aiqing stayed behind, and the rest of the aiqing should be dispersed."

After knelt down and kowtowed, the officials retreated to the gate of Wenyuan Pavilion, and then turned around and left.

Ming Chengzu said: "Okay, Yang Aiqing, tell me if you have anything."

Yang Qiuchi looked at the eunuchs and palace maids serving Ming Chengzu and coughed gently.

Seeing Yang Qiuchi so cautious, the Ming Chengzu was even more surprised and waved his hand. The eunuchs and palace maids behind him bowed and retreated, leaving only Eunuch Li.

Yang Qiuchi bowed and said, "I think that in order to maintain the stability of the country and country in the Ming Dynasty, the second prince should be appointed as the crown prince."

Ming Chengzu was a little amused and crying: "You... just said nothing just now? It's so mysterious, I really have something big to do."

Yang Qiuchi shook his head slightly: "The reason why I advocate the establishment of the second prince as the crown prince is different from theirs."

"Oh?" Ming Chengzu was a little curious, "Can you come up with any new reasons?"

Yang Qiuchi stepped forward, lifted his clothes and knelt down and said, "The reason for the empress is too shocked and there is also suspicion of resisting the order, so the empress does not dare to speak out."

Ming Chengzu frowned and stared at Yang Qiuchi: "This matter has something to do with Ji Aiqing?"

"yes!"

"Then stop talking. I have already said..."

"Long live! If you don't prepare for this matter early, you may worry about the change of Xuanwu Sect in the former Tang Dynasty! Even the Emperor's Jingnan Battle will be repeated in the prince and grandson!"

Ming Chengzu's brows were locked tighter, and he stared at Yang Qiuchi for a while: "Are you saying that this matter is also related to Gao Xu?" Ming Chengzu knew better than anyone else about the three sons' competition for the position of the prince. The third prince Zhu Gaosui was beaten stupid by Yun Lu and withdrew from the competition. If you want to talk about the Xuanwu Gate Incident, then the second prince Zhu Gaoxu would be the only one.

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

Since this issue is involved, it is indeed related to whom to be the crown prince. Ming Chengzu pondered for a while before saying, "Okay, tell me."

"I dare not." Yang Qiuchi saw that Ming Chengzu's appetite had been suffocated, so he saved himself first and kept the green mountains there, not afraid of losing firewood.

Sure enough, Ming Chengzu snorted and then said, "Okay, since this matter involves the establishment of a crown prince, it may be related to Ji Aiqing, so you only talk about the local affairs related to Gao Xu. I will forgive you for not guilty." Before Ming Chengzu found out the truth, he did not want to give Yang Qiuchi a loophole.

"Thank you, Lord!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

"Get up and talk."

"Yes, thank you, the Emperor." Yang Qiuchi stood up and bowed to continue, "The reason why I advocated that in order to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty, the second prince Zhu Gaoxu should be appointed as the crown prince, because if this is not the case, Zhu Gaoxu would launch a coup and threaten the safety of the prince or even the emperor. At that time, the Xuanwu Gate sword and war change was still light. In serious cases, the Ming Dynasty would probably fall back into endless disasters of war again."

"Do you have a basis for what you said?"

"Yes!" Yang Qiuchi said, "I have found out that the second prince has entrusted tens of thousands of private troops. He trained in the secret camp of Xingziao outside the East City, and cooperated with Ji... and an important figure in the capital to try to rebel!"

Ming Chengzu was shocked. Of course, he understood how a threat was a threat to an ambushing an army of tens of thousands of people beside the capital. He asked in a deep voice: "How do you know the land?"

"When I was investigating the murder of Governor Xue's concubine, I acquitted Lin Yuan, the personal guard of Commander Ji. Lin Yuan was grateful and said that more than 100 mysterious figures attacked Yun Leng's that night. They were the soldiers recruited by the second prince and said that they were from their camp. Weichen sent a secret spy to investigate, and it was true. If the emperor doesn't believe it, he can send someone to investigate, and you will know it once you check it."

Ming Chengzu frowned: "For such a big thing, why don't Ji Gang's Jinyiwei know any news?"

Yang Qiuchi smiled but didn't answer.

Ming Chengzu stared at Yang Qiuchi: "I asked you, why are you the only one who knows this news? Why didn't Ji Gangdi Jinyiwei hear me and report it to me?"

Yang Qiuchi bowed and said, "The emperor just said that he would not let the ministers talk about Ji and Commander-in-Chief, so the ministers dare not speak out."

Ming Chengzu thought. This matter is of great importance, depending on the situation. It is not like Yang Qiuchi is lying, nor is it like deliberately fabricating facts to falsely accuse Ji Gang. This is a serious crime of treason in the family. Yang Qiuchi dare not use this as a joke, because he must know that he will find out the truth about such a thing.

If Ji Gang was involved in treason, then Ming Chengzu would no longer be polite. No matter Ji Gang or anyone else, even if he had the ability, he would dare to rebel and be killed without mercy!

Ming Chengzu said with a sinister face: "Yang Aiqing, do you know the serious consequences of this matter? If it is proved that there is no such incident, it is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and I will not tolerate you."

"I understand." Yang Qiuchi bowed and said, "It's not true, but it's not true! The emperor will know that if the investigation is a false accusation and frame-up, I am willing to die!"

Yang Qiuchi thought to himself, if he didn't defeat the second prince and Ji Gang this time, he would be dead, and he had to fight to the death now.

Ming Chengzu nodded: "Okay! You said, why didn't Ji Gang's Jinyiwei know about this news? Could it be that he belongs to Gao Xu and his gang?"

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi was a little surprised at how quickly Ming Chengzu reacted. After all, Ming Chengzu started his career as a rebellion, so he was of course the most sensitive to rebellion.

Ming Chengzu said in a deep voice with a dark face: "Okay, tell me in detail about the investigation of Gao Xu and Ji Gang's rebellion."

Ming Chengzu called Ji Gang directly, which showed that he had subconsciously believed Yang Qiuchi's statement. This made Yang Qiuchi secretly happy.
Chapter completed!