"How can you agree to this?" Mei Zhihuan shook her head and sighed.

Liu Jun sat in the living room of Mei Mansion with a helpless look on his face, "Teacher, do you think I have room for refusal to refuse this? The emperor suddenly arrived at my mansion in the middle of the night, and then suddenly asked to accept me as his adopted son. I refused, but when the emperor was angry, I could only accept it."

"Oh, this matter has happened." Mei Zhihuan shook her head. Liu Jun was originally from a formal background, but with military merits to reach this point today, it was all up to his own ability. But after all, he was already a marquis at such a young age and served as the admiral who could not be taken by military officials. It was fake that the court said it was not jealous. I don't know how many people were staring at Liu Jun.

Now that the emperor suddenly accepts Liu Jun as his adopted son, isn’t this what makes Liu Jun more and more the target of public criticism? Liu Jun is his student. If Liu Jun is attacked, it will also affect his teacher. Mei Zhihuan is not too worried about being implicated. He is afraid that Liu Jun will be labeled as a lucky minister, and that Donglin’s current good situation will be destroyed.

"I think the emperor is anxious. The situation in the court has become worse every day in recent years. Now that the large bandits in the Central Plains have basically been calmed down, the emperor is a little impatient. The emperor accepts me as his adopted son, hoping to protect me so that I can do things with peace of mind." Liu Jun said.

Mei Zhihuan kneaded her temples and agreed with Liu Jun's speculation. In fact, anyone in the court could tell that the emperor had long been crazy about seeking medical treatment. At the beginning of the throne, the emperor removed Wei Zhongxian and valued Donglin. At that time, the cabinet was all from Donglin, and the important positions in the court were basically from Donglin.

At that time, Chongzhen still had hope for Donglin, but after Donglin was on the stage, he did not do much serious business. He was busy clearing the eunuchs and attacking the differences. From full of hope to disappointment, Chongzhen finally had no hope for Donglin and began to appoint Zhou Yanru, Wen Tiren, Zhang Zhifa, Xue Guoguan and others who were not Donglin's party. Most of the Donglin in the court were demoted.

After Wen Tiren, Xue Guoguan, Yang Sichang and others, Chongzhen discovered that these people were not actually lonely ministers and did not form cliques. They also had party members and could not do any serious business. In addition to the fact that the party still attacked different parties, internal affairs were not good, and the situation in the world was only worse.

The people of Donglin disappointed Chongzhen, and Chongzhen's use of other than Donglin ministers also disappointed him. In the end, he could only reuse eunuchs and eunuchs again, but although these eunuchs were more credible, their abilities were far from useful. At this time, the old Donglin people such as Mei Zhihuan, Li Changgeng and others accidentally activated them, but they made great contributions in one go. In just half a year, they wiped out the Central Plains bandits who had suffered for more than ten years.

This was definitely beyond Chongzhen's expectations, just like a general who was not a righteous man like Liu Jun. A small martial artsman actually won many battles on the battlefield of bandit suppression, and even had extremely strong economic capabilities.

It can be said that Chongzhen was almost desperate and suddenly discovered that there were such a group of capable officials. He just didn't find it before.

At this time, Chongzhen no longer cared about Mei Zhihuan, Li Changgeng and others being old Donglin, nor did he care about Liu Jun being a member of Fushe. In the eyes of the emperor, he no longer stared at the faction of these ministers. What he valued was their abilities. No matter whether you are a eunuch, Donglin, or an eunuch, as long as you have the ability, you will be valued.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Chongzhen used Mei Zhihuan as the chief assistant Li Changgeng as the secondary assistant at this time, and suddenly accepted Liu Jun as his adopted son.

However, Liu Jun is under great pressure now. After Chongzhen did this, Liu Jun has almost become a lucky minister in the eyes of many people.

Especially inside Donglin, it is said that there is already an undercurrent surging.

"Teacher, I heard that Zhou Yanru and Wu Changshi from Fushe and Luo Yangxing, the former commander of the Jinyiwei, have been walking closely recently."

"Don't worry about these people." Mei Zhihuan snorted coldly. Although Mei Zhihuan is from Donglin, she is an old Donglin. Although many of these old Donglins are obsessed with the party's common ground, Mei Zhihuan is still a person who is willing to do practical things. This time, when she returned to the center, Mei Zhihuan was not very satisfied with many Donglins in the current dynasty, and those newly emerged as Xiaodonglin's restoration. He felt that these people had forgotten their original intentions and were too persistent in the party struggles.

"Teacher, Zhou Yanru is a capricious person this time. Although Wu Changshi was a member of the Fushe Society, he was just a speculator. Luo Yangling was just a villain. Such a group of people colluded with each other, so he had to be careful."

"I stayed in the court just to do something practical and do something for the people. I don't have time to do anything to fight against the common people. Now many people from Donglin and the restoration of society have already taken a wrong path, so it's better if these people ignore it."

"You should not have the intention to harm others, but you should be careful. The teacher should be more careful. The more you want to do practical things, the harder it is." Liu Jun tried hard to persuade.

"If anyone dares to do something wrong, don't blame me for being rude. At that time, I won't care about what kind of eunuch party he is, Donglin or Fushe. I, Mei, do things, don't look at what party he is or what faction he is, just care whether he is doing practical things. If he is unwilling to do things, then ask him to leave." Mei Zhihuan said.

"The teacher is so courageous." Liu Jun praised with a thumbs up.

"Don't talk about those who are empty, I think you'd better leave Beijing early. After you return to Huguang, remember to be more low-key. At this critical moment, many people are staring at you." Mei Zhihuan said, "After you go back, do three things well. First, let the people have enough food and don't cause trouble again. Second, train the new army and place the abolition of the guards. Third, clean up and manage the military farms."

"clear."

"There is one more thing. Fang Qing's temper is so irritating that I can't persuade her. Let her go. Be your senior brother and take care of her more." When talking about her daughter, Mei Zhihuan sighed repeatedly. She usually spoiled her daughter too much. As a result, she couldn't control her now. She was a good prime minister, but she wanted to lead troops in the army to fight with Liu Jun. Mei Zhihuan even had some doubts about whether her daughter had that meaning to Liu Jun. But it was difficult for him to interfere in this matter. His wife was in his hometown again, and in the end he wanted to let her go. Maybe in the future, the Mei family would really have a female general like Qin Liangyu.

After sitting in Mei's mansion for a while, Liu Jun said goodbye and left. Mei Zhihuan did not leave him for dinner. The emperor had already sent someone to notify Liu Jun that the emperor asked him to go to the palace for dinner today.

It would definitely not be easy to have a meal with the emperor, but he would definitely not refuse the emperor's invitation.

After entering the palace, Wang Chengen had been waiting there for a long time in person.

"Mr. Please come with me."

Although there are not many people at this supper, they all have very high status.

Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, Empress Zhou, Yuan Tian, ​​two noble concubines, Prince Heyong, and Ding. In addition, Empress Zhang, Empress Yi'an, Empress Zhang, and Princess Kunyi and Kunxing.

Chongzhen's family had ten people plus Liu Jun, and sat around a table, just like a commoner's house.

According to Chongzhen's request, Liu Jun met with the two queens of Zhang, Zhou and the two noble concubines of Yuan Tian in turn.

"My son Ci Ye pays homage to the queen of mother!" Liu Jun knelt down to Empress Zhou. Empress Zhou smiled and responded kindly to him, so he got up. Liu Jun saluted Empress Zhang again. Emperor Chongzhen respected the emperor's sister-in-law the most, and Liu Jun called him the aunt of the emperor.

Both the queens of Zhang Zhou and Zhou prepared a meeting gift for Liu Jun, the adopted son. It was not a very precious gift, but a robe sewn by the two queens himself. Liu Jun was very moved by the gifts.

The two noble concubines Yuan Tian were the more favored concubines in the palace, especially Concubine Tian, ​​who was very beautiful, but they were slightly inferior to Emperor Zhang. Empress Zhang was tall and plump, with a face like Guanyin, eyes like autumn waves, mouth like red cherry blossoms, nose like hanging gallbladder, and fine teeth.

Empress Zhang is only 34 years old this year. During the revelation, she was the first beauty selected from the 5,000 beautiful girls in the country to pass eight levels. According to folk rumors, it is said that Empress Zhang is one of the five most beautiful queens since ancient times.

Her beauty even made the eunuchs moved. After Tianqi passed away, Empress Yi'an lived in Ciqing Palace. Wei Zhongxian's remnants, and the eunuch Chen Derun, the chief eunuch, was greedy for Empress Zhang's beauty and young. One day, when the queen got up in the morning, the palace servants held the toiletries to serve. Chen Derun asked to report the matter and couldn't help but go straight into the queen's room. The queen hurriedly reported to Chongzhen and demoted him to Xiaolingling in Nanjing to grow vegetables.

Concubine Tian is from a water town in Jiangnan and is very beautiful, but she feels charming. Moreover, she seems to have a bad relationship with the queen. She eats at the same table, but the two of them have never said a word or even have a look of eye contact.

The crown prince Zhu Cilang was ten years old and the Ding King Zhu Cijiong was eight years old. Both princes were born by Empress Zhou. Empress Zhou gave birth to a prince above Ding King, but she died shortly after her birth.

King Yong was seven years old, and his mother was Concubine Tian. Concubine Tian gave birth to four sons, but only one King Yong saved it, and the other three princes were all dead.

To this day, Chongzhen only retained three princes, the Crown Prince and the Two Princes of Yongding. Only the few daughters were Kunyi and Kunxing. The eldest princess, Princess Kunyi, was twelve years old and Princess Kunxing was ten years old, and they all gave the three princes a big shot.

Chongzhen asked the three princes and two princesses to call Liu Jun the emperor's brother.

"Ciye, you will be their elder brother from now on."

But Liu Jun thought to himself that he was just a righteous brother.

The food is not very luxurious, but compared to everyone's identity, it is very simple. They eat hot pot and mutton hotpot together.

Just like an ordinary civilian home, the family sits around a table and chats while eating, which really makes people feel very warm.

"When Emperor Taizu founded the country in hundreds of wars. At the beginning of his business, he adopted more than 20 adopted sons, such as Mu Ying, Li Wenzhong, Ping'an, He Wenhui, Zhu Wengang, Zhu Wenxun, Xu Sima, Zhentong, King Kongnu, etc. As the saying goes, father and son fight, brothers fighting tigers. Although Ci Ye is not an orphan, I am not raised by me and the queen, but I regard you as my son like the two princes of the crown prince Yongding."

Liu Jun thought to himself that Zhu Yuanzhang adopted those adopted sons because he had the custom of accepting adopted sons at that time. Zhu Yuanzhang's son was still young at that time. He accepted the adopted sons as both a general and a preparation for the military supervisor. These adopted sons fought bravely for Zhu Yuanzhang, but later when the situation in the world was clear and when the sons grew up, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately let the adopted sons restore their original surnames.

To put it bluntly, the adopted son is the adopted son, even the adopted son who was adopted since childhood, not to mention his adopted son who was suddenly accepted by Chongzhen at the age of 20.

Life is like a play, it all depends on acting! (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!