The Prosperous Era of Longwan

"How could this be?"

At this time, in Qintian Prison, an official wearing a green robe rushed out of the official office, holding the front of his official robe and ran quickly to a high platform in the courtyard, the patch embroidered with white pheasants on his chest kept beating.

As he ran, he looked up at the sky. Behind him, officials ran out one after another.

When he got to the high platform, he asked impatiently: "What's going on? There is a solar eclipse today. Why hasn't it been calculated?"

At this time, on the high platform, three green-robed officials were standing in front of the armillary sphere at a loss. They were speechless when they heard the interrogation from the visitor, not knowing what to say.

"Yang Lingguan, tell me."

"Lord Jianzheng, the sky is strange today, and I don't know how to explain it."

"Why can't we figure it out?"

"Lord Jianzheng, the sky has been unpredictable since ancient times, and many things cannot be predicted from ancient times to the present."

While Jian Zheng was talking to Ling Tailang, people behind him also arrived one after another.

"Guaranteed integrity, can the celestial phenomena be recorded?"

Seeing that neither of the two Five-Fun Lingtai Lang could explain the reason, Qin Tian Jian turned his gaze to the person standing next to him and asked. He is Qin Tian Jian Wu Guan Baozhangzheng, who specializes in recording celestial phenomena, and the Wu Guan Ling Tai Lang who was asked earlier They are officials who specialize in observing astronomical phenomena.

Na Baozhanglang held the record in his hand and read: "In the second month of the 40th year of Jiajing's reign, there was a solar eclipse, and the day was slightly overcast."

"Dong Dong. Dong."

While he was talking, the sound of drums could be heard faintly in the distance from the direction of Xiyuan.

"Your Majesty is beating drums to save the sun."

Someone in the crowd behind him said in a trembling tone.

As the drums of Xiyuan sounded, the guards in the towers and drum towers throughout the capital immediately followed the rules and beat the drums. For a while, the drums of the entire capital were rumbling.

"It's over, it's over."

Some people were already so frightened that they kept muttering the word "It's over".

The ancients were relatively superstitious, and with the continuous development and growth of Confucianism, the theory of the connection between heaven and man became deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Therefore, in their view, the occurrence of a solar eclipse represented God's warning to the emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, once said: "Since I started the army, whenever I have done something and my intention has begun to emerge, the sky will show it by the elephant. The omen can be seen in advance, so I always be on guard and do not dare to hesitate."

Linking political activities with astronomical phenomena is an important means for emperors of all dynasties to emphasize the legitimacy of their rule. The emperors' deep belief in "the sky hangs down to reveal good and bad luck" is reflected in the establishment of astronomical calendar institutions and the emphasis on astronomical calendar work.

To this end, Zhu Yuanzhang also issued a special ritual to save the sun and moon, stipulating how officials should save the sun and moon when a solar eclipse occurs.

In the ceremony to rescue the sun and the moon, Zhu Yuanzhang performed the rescue with high-standard rituals and music, and was accompanied by the respectful rescue etiquette of civil and military officials. These all show that Zhu Yuanzhang attaches great importance to the occurrence of "solar eclipse" and "lunar eclipse" phenomena.

The rescue of solar and lunar eclipses gradually became institutionalized and complicated. From the initial eclipse, to the emperor beating drums to scare away the tengu, to the emperor having to wear ordinary clothes and not living in the main hall, etc., we can all see that the feudal dynasty Pay attention to eclipses.

The calculation of solar and lunar eclipses mainly relies on institutions such as the Qintianjian. Due to calendar deviations, Qintianjian often has errors in calculating the specific times of solar and lunar eclipses. Therefore, many Qintianjian officials will not measure the time because of their inaccuracies. Being punished for a mistake can also show the importance that ancient dynasties attached to the phenomenon of solar and lunar eclipses.

For example, a lunar eclipse occurred on Xinmao in the first month of the first year of Jingtai, but because the officials of the Qintian Prison predicted that the eclipse would occur later than the actual time, the emperor was imprisoned.

This solar eclipse was not expected at all. Thinking of the possible punishment, everyone on the high platform was trembling.

Half of them were blown away by the cold wind on the high platform, and the other half were frightened.

The Qintian Supervisor was the astronomical calendar institution of the Ming Dynasty, responsible for astronomical divination, formulating calendars, calculating solar terms, selecting dates, and telling the time.

The predecessor of Qin Tianjian in the Ming Dynasty was the eunuch. The eunuch was established in the 16th year of Zhizheng in the Yuan Dynasty and was changed into a courtyard the following year.

After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the institutional structure of the Yuan Dynasty was inherited. In the first year of Hongwu, the Taishi Yuan was renamed Sitianjian, and later renamed Qintianjian, forming a pattern in which Qintianjian had jurisdiction over the four subjects of astronomy, engraving, Tatong calendar, and Hui-Hijri calendar. "Controlling matters such as astronomy, calendrical calculation, divination of marquises, and advancement of steps."

At this moment, Jian Zheng, who had been in a daze just now, suddenly looked up at the sky. Although the red sun hanging high in the sky was mostly covered, it was not completely covered. At this time, Jian Zheng faintly felt that the sky was darkening. It is gradually changing from darkness to light.

"Is the eclipse coming to an end?"

Jian Zheng asked with a trembling voice.

"It seems to be bright."

"It's bright."

In the midst of all the chattering, Jian Zheng suddenly thought of something, and then he grabbed the booklet recording the celestial phenomena from Wu Guan Baozhangzheng's hand and couldn't help but muttered: "New solar eclipse, the sun is slightly overcast. The sun is slightly overcast."

As the solar eclipse gradually disappeared, the sky regained its brightness, the sun still hung high in the sky, and the temporarily panicked capital also restored order.

At this time, on the Drum Tower of Xiyuan, Emperor Jiajing threw the drumstick in his hand at Huang Jin, waved his sleeves with both hands, and angrily walked down the Drum Tower with his hands behind his back. Huang Jin held the drumstick in both hands and followed closely behind the emperor.

"Send someone to Qin Tian Prison immediately. I want to explain."

Today's solar eclipse happened suddenly. There was no warning from the Qintian Prison before, and the corresponding rescue ceremony was not prepared at all.

After the solar eclipse occurred, Emperor Jiajing hurriedly rushed out of his palace and came here. At this time, his anger rose in his heart.

"Send someone to call Wang Jin, Liu Wenbin, Lan Daoxing and others quickly. Go quickly."

As he walked, Emperor Jiajing ordered, and at the same time he was thinking in his mind, what is going on with this solar eclipse? Have I done anything wrong recently?

Suddenly, Emperor Jiajing stood still, looked up at the sky, and murmured: "Is it wrong for me to follow the ancestral system? Shouldn't I be King Yu?"

Emperor Jiajing's whisper made Huang Jin's eyes twitch as he followed closely behind him. He had been following Emperor Jiajing, so he knew everything about what was going on inside and outside the palace. He also listened to what the emperor was saying. Understood.

Who will be the crown prince actually has little to do with him. How old is he? He is sixty. How many years older than Emperor Jiajing? How long can he live?

But he knew better that if King Yu had not taken over the throne, all the civil servants in the world would have collectively opposed it, and the situation would have been even more complicated than when he first ascended the throne.

Emperor Jiajing returned to Yongshou Palace, and Huang Jin was sent out to do things.

After leaving the palace, Huang Jin called over Chen Ju and several other attendants, "You should leave the palace immediately and go and invite Immortal Lan, Immortal Wang, and Liu."

Emperor Jiajing asked him to invite alchemists into the palace, and they must be doing divination for today's solar eclipse, so Huang Jin immediately sent his eunuchs to invite people.

After arranging everyone's errands, they sent everyone out. However, when Chen Ju turned around to leave, he suddenly heard Huang Jin shouting: "Chen Ju, wait a minute, I have something to explain."

Chen Ju turned around, and after everyone else left, Huang Jincai said quickly in a low voice: "As soon as you leave the palace, go to Prince Yu's Mansion to deliver a message to Wei Guangde. Today is a solar eclipse. The emperor is worried that God is warning Prince Yu, asking them to come up with a solution as soon as possible. "

"God warns King Yu"

Chen Ju was so surprised that he couldn't open his mouth from ear to ear when he heard Huang Jin's words.

"His Majesty followed the ancestral system and chose King Yu to succeed him, but there was a solar eclipse at this juncture, and the emperor is a bit wavering now."

Huang Jin explained quickly, "Go quickly and let them figure it out on their own."

Regarding this matter, Huang Jin was helpless.

He can provide help to Prince Yu, but he will not disobey the emperor. The only thing he can do is to inform Prince Yu's palace in advance.

"yes."

Chen Ju got the job and immediately called two chamberlains and left Xiyuan. However, after entering the gate of Xiyuan, he ordered the two chamberlains to invite the alchemist and got out of the car directly.

After Chen Ju ran out of the palace wall at a trot, he hired a sedan on the street. Without asking the price, he directly said to the sedan bearer: "Go to Shiwangfu Street, hurry up."

The news Huang Jin gave was ground-breaking. Maybe the duck he got would fly away. Now he could only inform Prince Yu of the news as soon as possible and ask everyone in Prince Yu's palace to think of ways to stabilize the situation.

Fortunately, many of the alchemists trusted by Emperor Jiajing lived in Taoist temples outside the city. In order to maintain their image as masters, most of them showed that they were tired of the world's fireworks, and only occasionally went to the city to stay for a while when the emperor called them.

Speaking of which, Chen Ju still had time to pass the news to the alchemists before they entered the palace and think of some way.

At this time, the only way in Chen Ju's mind was to get some money and ask the alchemists to help him speak, put in good words, and find a way to excuse today's solar eclipse incident. He didn't even have time to ask his godfather for instructions.

Because Chen Ju knew very well that his godfather's thoughts were the same as Huang Jin's. He didn't want Emperor Jiajing to have a big fight with the civil service group when he was already old.

"Eunuch Huang probably thinks so too."

Sitting in the sedan chair, Chen Ju whispered to himself in a low voice.

The sedan passed through Chang'an Street and soon turned into Shiwangfu Street. Chen Ju did not let the bearer take him outside Prince Yu's Mansion. Instead, he got off the sedan on the street and did not dare to walk on the street. He walked through several alleys. Go around to the outside of the courtyard wall of Prince Yu's Mansion, and diagonally opposite is the side entrance of Prince Yu's Mansion.

After he arrived here, he searched along the horse-tying stone and quickly recognized Wei Guangde's carriage.

"Li San."

When he saw the driver leaning on the handlebars and squinting, he knew this man.

"Huh? Who?"

Zhang San turned around and looked over, and immediately recognized the person as Chen Ju. He immediately jumped out of the car and opened his mouth to shout, but was immediately interrupted by Chen Ju waving his hand.

Chen Ju passed directly by him, looked around, then climbed up the frame and got into the carriage. When Li San came over, Chen Ju said to him: "Go to the palace and ask Wei Guangde to come out, don't mention it's me. , tell him it’s urgent.”

Chen Ju's strange behavior made Li San realize that it was unusual, and he quickly nodded in agreement and hurried to the side door of the palace.

Not long after, Wei Guangde was waiting for Chen Ju in the carriage.

When he was in the palace, Li San only said that there was something urgent at home and asked Wei Guangde to come out. He obeyed Chen Ju's instructions.

This doesn't count as cheating, Chen Ju doesn't look like he's just faking it, maybe something really big has happened.

However, only a few dozen steps after leaving the palace, Li San quickly told Wei Guangde that Chen Ju was waiting for him in the carriage.

Wei Guangde was also trembling in his heart at this time. Chen Ju's behavior was abnormal, so he didn't ask any more questions. Li San didn't know anything, so he had better get in the car to talk.

However, thinking about the solar eclipse that just happened, although he knew what solar and lunar eclipses were, he was too lazy to explain them.

In fact, some scholars in ancient times have discovered the causes of solar and lunar eclipses, but they can't explain the specific reasons why they happen. In short, from the perspective of people these days, everything seems to happen secretly. God willing.

Therefore, no one studies such discoveries in depth, and often confirms their belief in the theory of "response between heaven and man".

When Wei Guangde got into the carriage, he heard Chen Ju whisper to him before he opened his mouth: "It's a good loan, but the big thing is bad."

"Brother, what happened? Are you so panicked?"

When he heard Chen Ju say something bad about something big, Wei Guangde's first reaction was that Chen Ju was collecting cash outside.

In fact, Wei Guangde also knew that Chen Ju not only collected money from him, but also from other people, but he was very ethical and knew what money he could and could not take.

Of course, it may still be Gao Zhong's handiwork behind the scenes. After all, Chen Ju has not yet developed the style of a seasoned person who can see through many things at the slightest glance.

However, although Chen Ju also takes money to do things outside, he always gets the money he can. His style is similar to Yan Shifan's. He never ignores other people's money when he can't do things, and his tone is good.

However, with Xiaoge Lao Zhuyu in front of him, Chen Ju's name is naturally not that famous, and not many people know about it.

In fact, the former Chen Ju was an honest child, who was all spoiled by Wei Guangde.

At that time, Chen Ju was just a chamberlain, and he could only collect a few taels of silver by delivering orders. A few dozen taels would be enough to make a living. There were people like Wei Guangde who curried favor with the eunuchs in the palace in order to get on the pole, ranging from a few to a few. A hundred taels, or more than a thousand taels, are given as gifts.

"You know about the previous solar eclipse."

Hearing Chen Ju's words, Wei Guangde nodded subconsciously. Who in the capital wouldn't know that the drums were so loud.

Immediately, Wei Guangde realized something. Prince Yu was still a little restless in the palace before, and even Yin Shizhen and Zhang Juzheng were silent on the side.

Wei Guangde was relatively calm because he came from a later generation and knew some simple astronomical knowledge. He did not realize how much impact astronomical phenomena such as solar eclipses had on the ancient political situation.

Wei Guangde changed his calm expression before. He didn't think it before, and he would be a fool not to pay attention to it now. He had already guessed what Chen Ju was going to say, and he was afraid that the palace had something to do with King Yu.

"Brother, if you have anything to say, please tell me."

Wei Guangde couldn't help but urge.

"There was a sudden solar eclipse today, and His Majesty was still in Yongshou Palace at that time."

Then, Chen Ju told Wei Guangde everything that happened in the Yongshou Palace before and after the solar eclipse. In the end, Eunuch Huang asked him to invite Lan Daoxing, Wang Jin and other Taoists into the palace, and everything was explained. Clearly, Chen Jucai said: "According to Eunuch Huang, your Majesty may be worried that today's solar eclipse is a warning from heaven, or perhaps a warning to King Yu."