First Prince of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 666 Weakness
Zhu Biao is the prince of Jian Guo, and he is not in the palace all day. The prime minister and the six ministers are going to visit him, so he is well prepared for the prince's inquiries.

Just when the prince was emphasizing the key tasks of the court to the six departments as usual, there was a voice outside the palace, and several censors from Yushitai also came and asked to see the prince.

Zhu Biao glanced at Hu Weiyong first, this kind of small meeting generally does not need the participation of Yushitai, unless there are special circumstances.

Hu Weiyong said in a low voice: "Henan Zhangde Mansion has just sent the urgent performance, there are thieves rebelling, but more than a hundred people have been mobilized by the Zhangde Prefecture to suppress the army."

Local officials can selectively report many things, and generally try to suppress things that are not good for them. There is only one thing that cannot be faked, and that is rebellion. Local officials are so bold that they dare not suppress the news of rebellion. , even if it's just a mere mob.

Zhu Biao's expression remained unchanged. Since the founding of the country, the rebels have been like crucian carp crossing the river. That is to say, the effect of cracking down on corruption in the past two years has been remarkable. No surprise there either.

"Is it the rebellion of the thieves or the rebellion of the common people?"

The rebels, remnants of the Yuan Dynasty, or Bailian Maitreya and other cults can be collectively referred to as thieves. It is not uncommon for them to rebel, but if the people rebel, it must be the responsibility of the local officials.

Without waiting for Hu Weiyong to reply, Zhu Biao summoned the censors to enter, and several well-dressed censors walked in quickly, respectfully saluted the prince, and then reported: "I want to impeach Zhangde Mansion for wantonly increasing excessive taxes and causing officials to force The people are rebelling, please Your Highness immediately send imperial envoys to thoroughly investigate and appease the people!"

"Your Highness, the ministers and others have learned that there is a folk song in Zhangde Mansion, one gold and one drum to relieve a thief, two drums and one gong to welcome officials, the gold drums seem to be the same, officials and thieves do not compete for more."

Zhu Biao's eyebrows jumped slightly. It would be normal for the censor to be impeached in the early morning tomorrow, but since this matter was just reported by the Zhangde Mansion, why did they, the censors in Beijing, suddenly know so well.

If he knew it a long time ago, why didn't he report it in advance? He had to wait until the civil unrest had already occurred before he came to say this. It was clearly Hu Weiyong's backup just in case, and wanted to divert his attention to the administration of officials.

"Then follow the instructions of the ministers, go to Zhangde with Zhao Yannian, the official of Zhongshu Province Pingzhang, and give the king's order to do things cheaply."

The Ming Dynasty did not have the sword of Shangfang, but the effect of having the flag of the king's order is the same. In special circumstances, decisive measures are taken to avoid delaying major events due to layer upon layer of reporting.

"What does Prime Minister Hu think?"

"Your Highness is wise, and the ministers and others would like to obey the order."

"Go down."

"No, the minister will leave."

After all the officials bowed and retreated, Zhu Biao silently stared at the empty hall with his hands behind his hands, and then he snorted after a while, and went straight down the stairs and turned into the hall.

Liu Jin followed with a cup of hot tea, and Zhu Biao stood still in front of the writing table in the side hall, took the tea and poured it into the inkstone, then took the ink ingot to grind it a few times, and wrote Li Cunyi three times on the paper with a brush of smoked ink. big characters.

"Send it to Chen Youzong."

Liu Jin picked up the paper with great speed and left to make a promise. After stepping out of the hall, he folded it carefully and put it in his arms. His steps were even faster, and the little eunuchs behind him couldn't keep up.

At this time, the general government envoy should have not yet returned to the Yamen. As expected by Liu Jin, Chen Youzong was indeed still in the Yamen. Medium and large events, as well as letters written by officials to the Holy Majesty, were sent to the emperor.

When Chen Youzong heard that Liu Jin was coming, he hurried out to greet him. Just as he was about to leave the room, he bumped into Liu Jin, who had a deep complexion and heavy breathing.

The smile that was originally hanging on his face immediately subsided: "But what is your highness's urgent order?"

Liu Jin didn't say much, and took out the paper from his bosom. Chen Youzong took a look at it, frowned, and immediately put it away: "I understand, please don't worry, Eunuch."

Liu Jin calmed down for a long time before opening his mouth and said: "Slaves shouldn't talk too much in front of the commander in chief, but some people are really too much, have they even forgotten the dignity and dignity? Do you have to make trouble on this day?" ?"

It's not just about the Beijing camp, Chen Youzong reacted instantly, and said in a deep voice: "The so-called master is worried about the humiliation of the minister, and the master humiliates the minister to death, please rest assured, father-in-law."

A few words of reassurance can hardly dispel the depression in Liu Jin's heart, but he is only a slave after all, and it is difficult to act on behalf of the master in the court, after all, he still has to rely on these people.

Liu Jin turned to leave, and Chen Youzong immediately ordered to the servant beside him: "Go and find out, who just went to visit His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

This was not a secret matter at all, and it would soon come to fruition. Chen Youzong also looked in the direction of Shusheng with a deep expression on his face. Hu Xiang was a little too much.

He immediately left the mansion, but he didn't go back to his own mansion, but went directly to Yan's mansion, and on the way he asked someone to invite some people to visit Yan's mansion.

When they arrived at the gate of Yan's Mansion, Yan Donglai's son-in-law was waiting at the gate, and when he saw Chen Youzong, he immediately saluted: "My nephew pays respects to Uncle Chen, and my father is waiting in the hall."

In the past two years, the Chen family and the Yan family have long become close family members. After all, only the two of them are in the capital on the side of the civil servants of the Eastern Palace, and the rest of them are all working in the local area.

Chen Youzong squeezed out a smile and said hello. When he stepped into the mansion, he saw Yan Donglai's wife was waiting, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. Seeing that Chen Youzong looked anxious, he hurriedly let people into the hall, while Yan Donglai's son stayed behind. Here awaits those who have yet to come.

Yan Donglai suffered from a serious illness, but luckily he survived, and now he has been removed from the post of Minister of Dali Temple. He has no record of work, although his body is still a little thin, but his spirit has improved a lot.

"What happened."

Chen Youzong took out the piece of paper and gave it to Yan Dong to have a look. Naturally, Yan Donglai was not unfamiliar with the prince's words, and the emotions contained in the words were naturally clear at a glance, which is very rare in His Highness's pen and ink.

Yan Donglai said in a deep voice: "Li Cunyi has a lot of troubles. He was just too lazy to argue with him. Although he is backed by Mr. Hu, it is not difficult to cure him, and there is no need for you to come here in person."

Chen Youzong briefly talked about what happened today. It was not a big deal, but for people like them who are extremely politically sensitive, they can clearly see the turbulent waves below.

Chen Youzong patted his thigh and said softly: "Ms. Hu is too much. If I wait so long to rest and take care of myself, I will be worthy of Your Highness's kindness."

Anger was evident in Yan Donglai's eyes, but he still tried his best to restrain himself and said, "As a courtier, why should we cherish this body and why should we be afraid of others? I'm just afraid that His Highness' plan will be ruined."

Chen Youzong shook his head and said: "We are waiting for the courtiers to fight, as long as His Highness does not end, it is irrelevant."

"What's more, if you want to move Li Cunyi, you want to have a fight with Hu Xiang. It's nothing more than making the trouble bigger. At least let them know that His Highness is the supreme and noble prince of Sheji, and it's not for the courtiers to try."

Seeing this, Yan Donglai nodded and said: "Since you have made up your mind, then so be it, I'll wait for a long time to keep myself safe, and it's time to make a move."

Although Yan Donglai has no authority, he is still a direct descendant of the Eastern Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will send the imperial physician to ask for pulse every now and then, and the former disciples are still there.

After the two passed each other's breath, everything behind them became easy. As officials, big and small, rushed to them, and then dispersed, the city was overwhelmed by a storm.

In the prime minister's residence, Zhongshu Youcheng Chen Liang took the secret letter from the servant and frowned: "Master, the situation is not very good, they are going to target Li Cunyi!"

Hu Weiyong also couldn't help sighing, he got the political legacy of his mentor Li Shanchang and became the prime minister, which also owes the Li family a lot of love, Li Cunyi is really a weakness he can't let go of.

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(End of this chapter)