No one dared to stare at Zhu Houzhao in the past two years. Since he ascended the throne, Zhu Houzhao has been arrogant and domineering for a long time. When he got angry with Chen Xi, he didn't know how to deal with it for a while.

Chen Xidao: "As the example of the court, your Majesty should set an example... I dare to ask what Your Majesty has done in the past few years to convince the ministers?"

If others said this, Zhu Houzhao would not take it seriously or even refute it, but now Shen Xi teaches him a lesson, the situation will be different.

In his mind, Chen Xi always had a different position. Not only his husband, but also the object of his learning and imitation. Chen Xi's words have an indescribable persuasion in his heart.

Zhu Houzhao's face turned red: "I have always been strict with myself and have never done anything that goes against the court."

Chen Xi shouted sternly: "Your Majesty still remembers Liu Jin's abuse of power and Zhang Yuan's misconduct? Not to mention that the women Jiang Bin robbed from the people yesterday were all your subjects, but they were almost sent to the Leopard Room... Do you dare to ask Your Majesty this is what you call strict self-discipline?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes dodged and did not dare to look at Chen Xi. Although he usually acted randomly, one thing was pretty good, that was, he was able to reason with others.

Although Zhu Houzhao doesn't listen to others' advice most of the time, now he trusts Chen Xi's reasoning, so he can still listen to it.

Chen Xi did not give Zhu Houzhao a chance to refute and continued, "If Your Majesty wants a concubine, you can issue a sage edict. The wealthy families inside and outside the capital will be sent to the palace without fighting for the first time? Why do you have to force the daughter of a civilian?"

Zhu Houzhao said: "I did not force the robbery of the people. Even if Jiang Bin did this, it was not my instruction. Moreover, I don't like the wealthy daughters, they are too pretentious..."

Chen Xidao: "The women of Lehu and Jiaofangsi were not enough to meet His Majesty's need for happiness that day?"

Zhu Houzhao talked to Chen Xi about women's problems, which was very embarrassing, but she still said stubbornly: "So what if it's not enough? I have my own ideas, so I don't need Chen Shangshu to point fingers."

Chen Xi said again: "Since ancient times, there have been those who are diligent in self-disciplined and those who are greedy for pleasure. It is not that diligent in self-disciplined will definitely be able to govern the country well, but those who are misleading the country are mostly lazy in the affairs of the court. I know that I will tell Your Majesty too much reason, and Your Majesty doesn't like to listen, because Your Majesty feels that the former emperor has laid a stable pattern of the Ming Dynasty. Now that the northern border is peaceful, it is time for the world to rise and enjoy the peace and enjoyment. You can do whatever you want, but Your Majesty must not forget that the crises of many dynasties have occurred in the prosperous times, from Kaiyuan to Tianbao, but only a few decades."

Zhu Houzhao had a dark face and didn't want to listen to Chen Xi's lesson, but he tried his best to avoid a greater conflict with Chen Xi and said, "I will not blame you for this matter. If Shen Shangshu still does this next time, don't blame me for being polite... Shangshu Chen, you can go back."

Chen Xidao: "Can I thank Your Majesty for not pursuing your grace?"

Zhu Houzhao looked at Chen Xi with a squinted eyes, and her eyes seemed to be saying, "I have given you a way out. Let's take a step back and let's get married?" Why are you still chatting here?

Chen Xi ignored Zhu Houzhao's puzzled gaze and said firmly: "I have been working diligently in the past two years, trying to completely eliminate the northern border troubles, stabilize the country, support the world, and let the people have enough food and clothing. But because Your Majesty ignored the affairs of the court in the past two years, and my insistence on using troops, even though I have returned from a triumphant victory, there are still constant criticisms in the court. I blame your Majesty for his neglect of government affairs on my indulgence, and even regard me as a rare slander for ever..."

Zhu Houzhao said: "Who is talking nonsense? Let's see if I won't cut off his head!"

Chen Xidao: "If you have to block your mouth, it will be hard for others to do so. The surrender achieved by suppressing the way of the court will not have any effect. When Liu Jin was in the court, so many people were in a state of incest and there was no other voice in the court. Does Your Majesty want to restore the dim state of the administration at that time?"

Zhu Houzhao looked to the side angrily, not arguing with Chen Xi because he knew he could not say anything at all.

Chen Xi continued: "This time, Your Majesty used Jiang Bin to collect folk women from the disaster area and sent them to the city in a dignified manner. How many people were watching? Don't Your Majesty feel that doing so is destroying his reputation and making the civil and military officials and the people of the court disappointed him?"

Zhu Houzhao said: "They dare! This... Jiang Bin did something wrong. I have taught him a lesson. Shangshu Chen doesn't have to bite him!"

Zhu Houzhao always wanted to get angry in front of Shen Xi, but he couldn't raise his momentum. He was a little timid every time he got along with Chen Xi. Although Chen Xi was no older than him, the old ministers in the Chen Xi court were more majestic, which made Zhu Houzhao unconsciously shorten half a head in front of Shen Xi.

Because Emperor Hongzhi had only one son like Zhu Houzhao, who had spoiled since childhood, all the gentlemen seemed to him as decorations, and only Chen Xi provided positive guidance to him. Chen Xi brought him not only advanced ideas and meticulous logical analysis skills, but also some unique and advanced thinking methods.

More importantly, Chen Xi was entertaining and taught him a lot of truths and had a profound impact on his growth path.

Even though Zhu Houzhao refused to admit that Chen Xi was both a master and a father to him, this kind of thought existed in his subconscious mind.

Chen Xidao: "Maybe countless people have advised Your Majesty, but in the end there is no result. Your Majesty still does his own way and still does not care about the affairs of the court. Now Your Majesty has been back to the court for several days, but he has never thought about holding a meeting of the court, which will lead to the decline of power. If there is a crisis in the court, how can Your Majesty find out at the first time?"

Zhu Houzhao originally wanted to say, isn’t you, Shangshu Chen, and so many loyal ministers?

But when you think about it carefully, even Chen Xi had such a big opinion. Those so-called loyal ministers may be even more "dangerous" than Chen Xi. After all, when he was in charge of the army, no one stood by him and Shen Xi. Chen Xi was already his most determined "ally" in the court. As for others, others seemed to support Xie Qian more, He Jian and other old guys who seemed extremely stubborn to him.

Before Zhu Houzhao's answer was met, Chen Xi continued, "This time, it was His Majesty who proved to the world that he was diligent in government affairs and was determined to create a prosperous era. Shouldn't His Majesty do something?"

Zhu Houzhao said with a stern face: "I don't want to hear this, please come back by Shangshu Chen!"

At this time, Zhu Houzhao wanted to ask someone to drive Chen Xi away. Even if it was from Chen Xi's persuasion, he didn't like to listen to it. After all, no one was willing to accept criticism, let alone the emperor who owned the world.

Chen Xi refused to give in: "If Your Majesty does not do anything, then the empress will do something..."

When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he began to panic. He probably knew what Chen Xi would say next, that was to resign. Forget others, Zhu Houzhao wanted those annoying flies to leave the court early and go back to the countryside to farm to let them wake up. But if Chen Xi did the same, Zhu Houzhao felt that he would lose all his heart.

In Zhu Houzhao's eyes, the court can do whatever it takes, but Chen Xi cannot be missed.

Zhu Houzhao robbed Bai and said, "Since Shangshu Chen said he wanted to take care of this matter, then I just care... I'm fine if I punished Jiang Bin?"

Chen Xidao: "Is it all Jiang Bin's sin?"

Zhu Houzhao said annoyedly: "What else do you want me to do? Could you let me issue an edict to punish me? I bought some women from the people, and that's what it is?"

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty should reopen the court meeting. He publicly stated at the court meeting that he would not accept anyone to send women to the leopard room or the palace."

"Well?"

Zhu Houzhao thought about it carefully and it seemed that it was not difficult to do it. At worst, he could say that during the court meeting, he was just showing off his face. It was not a shameful thing for a shameless person like him.

But in the second thought, Zhu Houzhao was a little unwilling. He was lustful and had a unique taste. He didn't like wealthy daughters, so he liked mature women. His hobby must be secretly raised by someone. If he cut off his path directly, he would feel that life was flawed and he was not very interesting to be an emperor. Since he ascended the throne, he has no choice but to be a wise king of all ages, but the rest is to eat, drink and have fun.

Zhu Houzhao said: "With what Secretary Chen said, there will be no woman in the palace and the leopard room in the future. Let me lead a group of eunuchs to guard here?"

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty is rich all over the world now, so is it difficult to get a woman? Especially the Ming Dynasty has many vassal states. Can't Your Majesty let those foreign countries offer beauties to Your Majesty?"

"this……"

Zhu Houzhao had a lot of objections to refusing to accept beautiful women, but after hearing Chen Xi's words, he suddenly found a way out and thought for a while and asked, "Is it unruly for me to accept those women from the foreign countries?"

Chen Xi said patiently: "Your Majesty pacified the grassland and powerful all over the world. I think the surrounding vassal states will be shocked. Your Majesty may as well issue an edict to let each vassal state offer a number of beauties every year and transport them to the capital with the tribute. Your Majesty will also return the gifts. If anyone does not give it, he will use his military force to test the wishes of the surrounding vassal states."

Zhu Houzhao was full of anger before. When she heard this, she suddenly felt very interesting, but he still asked with a stern face: "This proposal is feasible, but folk women..."

Chen Xi's voice increased eighth degrees and said, "That's your people! If you are just the daughter of an ordinary musician, it would be harmless. But if you look for it from the people, Your Majesty may cause public grievances. Water can carry a boat and can overturn it. Have you forgotten it?"

Zhu Houzhao was full of anger: "Shangshu Chen wouldn't say anything other than these great principles?"

Chen Xidao: "If Your Majesty does not want to make changes, what's the point of staying in the court? I simply encountered so much criticism in the court and was also illegitimate as a slander. Besides, I have pacified the chaos in the northern border and have not been afraid of Tatars invading the territory for decades... All the things I should have done have been completed, and I happened to return to my hometown to spend a few years of stable life."

Zhu Houzhao was most afraid of Chen Xi leaving the house. Now that Shen Xi really resigned, he was immediately timid.

Zhu Houzhao knew very well who had brought the fruitful achievements he had achieved since ascending the throne. He was very lazy and did not want to pay attention to the affairs of the court. It was because he thought that Chen Xi was supporting him in the court that he could rest assured. If Chen Xi resigned from office, he would have to be distracted from the affairs of the court. If he could not handle the matter, he would lose his country and beauty like Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, it would be more uncomfortable for him than death.

But as the emperor, Zhu Houzhao felt a little embarrassed to ask him to beg for mercy. After a while, he said, "Mr. Chen, don't you think that indulging Jiang Bin to find a woman among the people may make me lose the people's hearts? At worst, if you don't do this in the future, Jiang Bin will also be punished. This is OK, right?"

"If you leave the court now, others will definitely say that I have no tolerance, and say that I am just making trouble to drive away my loyal ministers. Are you trying to let me bear the eternal infamy?"

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty still cares about other people's opinions?"

"Of course I care. Do you want to say I'm shameless?" Zhu Houzhao said angrily, "This time the bento has not happened. I will punish Jiang Bin well so that he will not do this again in the future, and others will not be allowed. As for the court discussion... I promised to hold a court meeting once a month."

Chen Xi shook his head: "Does Your Majesty think that I just resigned and threatened Your Majesty with something that he did not agree?"

Zhu Houzhao said angrily: "This is not enough, so what do you think you can do it! Do you still have to kowtow to those women and admit their mistakes and send them back to their hometown?"

Chen Xi had a look of hatred on his face: "Your Majesty said this, that is, he hated me, and I don't want to make your Majesty embarrassed. The matter of resignation is temporarily put aside. However, I have been away for a long time and I want to stay in the mansion to rest for a while. As for the selection of seals of the Chief Secretary, I will temporarily put it aside, and the affairs of the Ministry of War will be temporarily handed over to the two ministers... Please forgive me for your kindness."

"Accurate."

Zhu Houzhao answered without thinking.

Chen Xi said again: "As for what Your Majesty said to be a monthly court meeting, it is too long. Even if the court meeting cannot be held every day, it should be appropriate to take it once every ten minutes."

"It's all right." Zhu Houzhao didn't reject anything at this time. As long as Chen Xi stopped forcing him, he could compromise.

Chen Xi saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty does not need to punish Jiang Bin for this matter, but Your Majesty wants to prevent others from going to the people to abduct women in the name of the imperial edict. The Central Plains is still pacifying rebellions and disaster relief. I hope Your Majesty can do it yourself."

"you……!"

Zhu Houzhao was originally going to argue with Chen Xi, but when she saw Chen Xi turn around and go outside, she seemed too lazy to continue talking to him.

Chen Xi's behavior was a silence, which made Zhu Houzhao very embarrassed, but he had no choice but to call Shen Xi back and didn't know what to say. It would be better to let everyone calm down for a while before talking.

"Mr. Shen..."

Xiao Tiaozi's voice came from the door. Although Xiao Tiaozi couldn't hear clearly what he said, he probably understood the conflict between the king and the minister. This time Chen Xi came to accept the advice, which would have disobeyed the holy will.

Zhu Houzhao ordered: "Shangshu Chen went to the expedition for a long time and was exhausted both physically and mentally. I will give Shangshu Chen a month off to let Shangshu Chen have a good rest at home, so that Shangshu Chen will not need to do anything within this month."

This was both what he said to Xiao Taozi and Chen Xi, which was equivalent to explaining what Chen Xi did and conveying it to the court in the form of an emperor's oral order.

Xiao Taozi quickly avoided the situation and did not even dare to go up and ask what happened in Chenxi.

As for Chen Xi, he walked out of the gate of the leopard room. Jiang Bin stood by the side, worried that Zhu Houzhao would take his anger on him because of yesterday's incident. When it comes to the emperor's trust, he couldn't catch up with Chen Xi even if he beat him up.

...

...

Chen Xi left the door of the leopard room, which means that he will no longer be involved in the court affairs in the next month.

Xiao Taozi and Jiang Bin entered Zhu Houzhao's bedroom, and at the same time, Concubine Li who retreated to the back of the house for a while was here.

Xiao Tiaozi, Jiang Bin, and Concubine Li didn't know the content of the conversation between Zhu Houzhao and Chen Xi, but the three of them could see the anger on Zhu Houzhao's face and understood that the two had a rift because of yesterday's incident. Chen Xi failed to persuade the emperor, and the seeds of estrangement were planted between the monarch and his subjects.

"Your Majesty, I wonder what a villain can do?"

Jiang Bin is a newborn calf who is not afraid of a tiger. Even though he knows that it is not appropriate to stand up and speak at this moment, he dares to break the silence on his own initiative.

Zhu Houzhao looked up at Jiang Bin and shouted, "Look, Jiang Bin, these are all good things you did! If you send some women to the capital, you can still be discovered. Do you want everyone in the world to know that I am a tyrant monarch who specializes in robbing beautiful women from the people to fill the leopard room?"

Jiang Bin was a little disappointed and understood that he had done something wrong, but he felt relieved. He felt that Zhu Houzhao had no intention of suing him.

"The villain knows his mistake."

Jiang Bin knelt down and kowtowed.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Xiao Tiaozi again: "Xiao Tiaozi, you are really good at doing things. How could people know that I sent Guard Jiang to Shuntian Mansion to pick up people?"

Xiao Guozi also knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, it was Eunuch Zhang who visited Lord Shen's mansion. He accidentally revealed that the villain was completely unaware of it."

"I clearly asked you to go, but you said that Zhang Yong was doing things safely, so I asked him to try it out. The result was that if something happened, you would not admit that it had something to do with you? Are you trying to shirk responsibility?" Zhu Houzhao shouted sternly.
To be continued...