Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 927 His Majesty the Emperor Protecting the Calf
Under the gaze of everyone, Chen Yi frowned and said.

"Your Majesty, the liquidation of Wang Zhenyu's party was already concluded when His Majesty ascended the throne. If the officials are investigated again, the prestige of the imperial court may be damaged. This is one of them."

"According to what Lord Tianguan said, those who need to be investigated include all officials who were promoted, dismissed, and demoted when Wang Zhen was in power. It took a long time, and the manpower and material resources spent are second, so the panic among the officials caused by this may cause the government affairs of the court to be put on hold, this is the second."

"And after many years, no matter what the original situation was, officials from all over the country have been in office for a long time. This matter will open up a bad start for the court and easily cause party disputes. This is the third."

"Although Lord Tianguan has a good intention at the beginning, if he fails to implement it effectively, and is used to fight in the name of others to exclude dissidents, he will suffer a lot later. This is the fourth."

"With these four things, the damage to the imperial court is far greater than the disaster of the current decline in the officialdom. Therefore, I dare not agree with the intention of the heavenly official."

It is always easier to give an objection than to say a solution.

Although Chen Yi didn't mean to deliberately target Wang Wen, what he said made Mr. Wang's face grow long.

Looking at Chen Yi dissatisfied, Wang Wen said.

"At the beginning, His Majesty issued an order to investigate Wang Zhen's remaining party, and indeed dealt with a group of people in accordance with the law. However, the Afu Wang Zhen who was dealt with at that time was a person who harmed the country and disrupted the government. This case has been concluded by itself."

"However, what I'm talking about now is the lucky people who borrowed Wang Zhen's power, and the people who were wronged by Wang Zhen's slander and oppression. How can the two be confused?"

It should be said that Wang Wen's words sounded a bit preposterous.

Indeed, regarding Wang Zhen's case, it had been concluded as early as when the emperor ascended the throne, and all the party members who cling to Wang Zhen were also punished.

However, at that time, the emperor deliberately handed over the case to Dali Temple for the purpose of reassuring the officials and quickly stabilizing the situation.

Wang Wen is now bringing up the old story again. Although it is said that it is the so-called "lucky man" that Zha called, in fact, he is still continuing and expanding the case of Wang Zhen at that time.

Of course, if it is forced to explain, Wang Tianguan's statement is not untenable.

But just like what Chen Yi said, all the officials have a book in their hearts, and this practice of changing the soup without changing the medicine will undoubtedly damage the prestige of the court.

If it is said that the purpose of the emperor is to clean the court, then naturally it is no problem, but now, the emperor has made it very clear that changing people is not the purpose, but rebuilding the officialdom is the purpose.

In this case, such a simple and crude method is obviously not applicable.

After a short pause, Yu Shiyue also stepped forward and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I think that what the Lord Tianguan said is not unreasonable."

"Nowadays, the atmosphere in the court is not right, which is actually related to the relegation and dismissal of many loyal officials. Therefore, the Lord Tianguan said that the officials who were dismissed by Wang Zhenjiang will be re-examined, those who have been wronged will be rehabilitated, and those who have been dismissed will be rehabilitated. , can be carried out.”

Compared with Chen Yi, Yu Cifu's words were more tactful.

The implication is that it is possible to rehabilitate and recover, but other things are avoided.

Naturally, Wang Wen could hear what he meant, so Wang Tianguan didn't appreciate this way of smoothing things over, and snorted.

"Anyone who has been wronged can be rehabilitated, and those who are dismissed from office can be rehabilitated, but those who prefer to bribe cannot be dismissed? What is the reason for this?"

Asked this, the other ministers could not help but smile bitterly.

What is the reason, what Chen Yi said just now is so clear, isn't it enough?

Rehabilitation is a kindness, but rebuking Xingjin is punishment. Of course, the former will offend some vested interests, but it is always a good thing. As long as it is well arranged, it is not difficult to satisfy the ruling and opposition parties.

But if you want to track down the officials who were promoted by relying on Wang Zhen, this matter is not only complicated, but also easy to offend people, and once offended, it will be a large number of people.

Although what Chen Yi said just now is straightforward, but he hasn't fully understood it yet.

The fact is that if Wang Wen's approach is passed, he will be scolded by the court.

After all, no one can guarantee that the process of ascending to the position is clean. If Wang Zhen's case is investigated today, other matters will be investigated tomorrow.

As soon as this precedent was set, the people in the court were all panic-stricken.

Facing Wang Wen's questioning, Chen Xun hesitated for a moment, then stood up and objected.

"Your Majesty, this matter is not as simple as the Heavenly Official thought. It has been two years since Wang Zhen's incident, and it will have been several years since he was in power."

"Nowadays, it is still possible to track down the people who were wronged back then. However, it is quite difficult to track down the people who are attached to Wang Zhenxing. After all, Wang Zhen's party has already been punished. Once these people die, they will know the inside story. I'm afraid it's just the officials themselves."

"With such a big fight, if nothing is gained in the end, it will make the imperial court lose face."

Immediately afterwards, Wang Ao also spoke.

Although he and Chen Xun just had a quarrel in the hall before, but now, he followed Chen Xun as if nothing happened.

"What Chen Shangshu said is reasonable, but the words of Lord Tianguan are indeed a little too radical."

"Your Majesty, please think about it. If such a large-scale settlement of old accounts becomes a routine, then someone will use this to suppress dissidents. If things go on like this, our dynasty will repeat the Tang Dynasty's cattle-Li party struggle."

"Therefore, this example must never be opened, please learn from Your Majesty!"

All of a sudden, all the people present were opposing Wang Wen's point of view, no matter whether they spoke bluntly or tactfully.

As a result, Wang Tianguan's complexion suddenly turned black, and standing beside him, he could directly feel the repressed dissatisfaction of the old man.

However, Mr. Wang's character has never been such a person who would easily admit defeat. What's more, the group of people in front of him said that they all sounded high-sounding, but in fact, no one dared to face his problem.

With a sullen face, he cupped his hands and was about to speak.

However, at this time, what is surprising is that at this time, the emperor raised his hand and stopped Wang Wen.

Just when everyone thought that the emperor was planning to veto Wang Wen's measures, the emperor looked at them calmly and said.

"Everything you say makes sense, but I have the same question as the Heavenly Official."

"Why, it's okay to rehabilitate those who have been wronged, but not to demote those who have bribed?"

"You are all well-learned men, pillars of the imperial court, read the scriptures of sages, and know the way to govern the country. You just said so many reasons, but I only asked one question."

"Shouldn't you be the one who is lucky enough to advance?"

The hall fell silent, and the bosses looked at each other, no one expected that the emperor would have such an attitude.

The question asked by this sentence is more sharp than what Wang Wen said just now.

Should, or should not?

Two extreme answers with no middle ground.

A group of ministers lowered their heads and remained silent. Only a certain heavenly official looked like he had found someone to support him. Together with the emperor, he turned his head and looked fiercely at the other people present.

It was Chen Yi who spoke first, even at this moment they could feel the coercion coming from the emperor, but others could hide, but Chen Yi couldn't.

After a while, biting the bullet, Chen Yi still stood up and spoke, saying.

"Your Majesty forgives..."

"There is no need to say too much about the constitution, I know it."

Just when Chen Yi wanted to explain, the emperor shook his head and said.

"The reason, the ministers have already said just now. Pursuing the old affairs will cause the officials to discuss, and the officials will be uneasy. If they don't care about their affairs, they will stagnate the court. Later generations will follow suit, and they may become a sharp weapon for the same party to fight against differences."

"These, what you said are all right."

"However, what I want to say is that in the Ming Dynasty, we should not only talk about the gains and losses of benefits, but also talk about right and wrong."

"Today I summoned all the ministers to come, isn't this what we are discussing?"

"I only know how to calculate the pros and cons, and put morality in the second place. Isn't this exactly the court atmosphere that I and Zhu Qing want to change?"

These words made the faces of all the ministers present stagnate, and they all showed contemplative expressions.

If they still felt that there was a reason for the emperor to support Wang Wen just now, then at this time, they really began to reflect on whether their own considerations were wrong.

It turned out that, unknowingly, had I and the others also been affected by this imperial ethos?
However, people who can get to this point, regardless of their political stance, are all determined people.

So soon, they realized that there was something wrong with what the emperor said.

The principles of the sage are certainly the way to govern the country, but if the country can be governed only by the principles of the sage, then the world would have been unified long ago.

What the emperor said is correct. Indeed, there is no reason why the imperial court can only rehabilitate the wronged, but not the lucky ones.

However, the problem is that the truth sounds nice to say, but in the end, we still have to face real problems.

The reality is that if you really want to do this, it will inevitably cause restlessness in the court, and the gain outweighs the loss.

Above the court, it is true that one cannot only care about gains and losses, and disregard justice and morality. However, if everything is just copying principles and disregarding gains and losses, then it will not last long.

At this point, the elders finally come to their senses.

After all, the Son of Heaven is still supporting the old man Wang Wen!

You know, after dealing with the emperor for so long, they never think that the emperor is a pedantic person who sticks to the rules and only speaks great principles.

His old man's methods in court are obvious to all.

But all the things that the emperor wants to promote will always be accepted at face value, almost without exception.

Such an emperor, do you think he would be so naive as to disregard reality and only talk about great principles?
The elders silently looked at Wang Wen, and finally, Chen Yi coughed lightly and said.

"Your Majesty is wise, I know my mistake!"

Therefore, other ministers, except Wang Wen, followed closely behind and followed the Tao.

"I know I was wrong!"

Seeing this situation, Wang Tianguan was satisfied, and stood in the distance triumphantly, almost akimbo.

However, as expected by these elders, the emperor did not unprincipledly protect Wang Wen, he pondered for a moment, and the emperor spoke again.

"I also understand Qing's concerns."

"The Tianguan just said that some places are really not easy to use. The former prince came out of the cabinet, and I just issued an edict of amnesty for the world. It is indeed inappropriate to pursue the past at this moment."

"However, there is one thing that Zhu Qing always needs to understand."

"That is, the principle of a saint is the foundation of governing a country. Sometimes, due to the situation, it cannot be done, but if you abandon the principle of a saint, you will be no different from a villain."

What I said was serious, now, including Wang Wen, all the ministers suddenly looked serious and said.

"Your servants would like to be taught!"

So, the emperor nodded, and then said.

"This matter is just like what Yu Cifu said just now. For the time being, the Ministry of Officials will resume the officials who were deposed because of Wang Zhen. Those who have been demoted will be reinstated depending on the circumstances. Afterwards, Tianguan, you first draw up a list and hand it over to me to have a look."

"As for the controversy just now..."

At this point, the emperor seemed to be a little hesitant, a little undecided.

As for why, the ministers present could probably guess.

Although what the emperor said just now was to support Wang Wen, in the end, it was roughly the idea of ​​the emperor, or in other words, the state of court that the emperor wanted to achieve.

However, limited by the reality, it is difficult to do it.

If, as usual, such a big disagreement occurs, the next court meeting is the most appropriate way.

But, again, no one wants to worry about what they have done before being exposed after they have been promoted.

Therefore, if this proposal comes to the court, it will definitely not pass.

Then, if the Son of Heaven is unwilling to give up, he can only...

"I can ignore the past, but since I and the ministers have made up our minds to change the atmosphere in the officialdom, we can't let these things go by."

"After today, the cabinet draws up an edict and sends it to all the yamen. Afterwards, officials will be assessed, promoted, and dismissed. If there is fraud, bribery and corruption, they can all be reported to the court. If they are verified, they will be punished regardless of age or official position."

Sure enough, the bosses glanced at each other, and this result was reasonable.

Similar to this dilemma, the court has encountered many times.

The most typical example is the arrears of taxes everywhere, which is a bad debt. No matter if it is inappropriate, if it is managed, it will not be able to catch up.

For this situation, the best way for the imperial court is to take advantage of a certain grand ceremony to waive the past arrears, which will not violate the imperial court regulations, but also completely deal with the complicated relationship in the past and re-manage it.

The emperor's current method is almost the same.

Using the name of the prince's coming out of the cabinet to amnesty the world, he announced that the past will not be investigated, but after that, strict investigations will be carried out. The sentence does not limit the number of years and official positions, which means that as long as it is a person who engages in favoritism and fraud, even if he ascends to a high position, as long as he is Anyone who exposes it may be dragged down from the temple.

This decision is bold, and, if they remember correctly, this is relatively rare. The emperor still insists on his own opinion and must implement the decision despite the opposition of the courtiers.

The last time I counted forward was to replace Wang Ji, the commander-in-chief, and the next step was to put the decisive battle with Wala at Zijingguan...

The elders know that when the emperor behaves like this, it often means that he has made up his mind.

No matter how lenient and kind the emperor is, as a courtier, he must never forget one thing, that is, the imperial power is majestic and cannot be offended.

Those who are determined to oppose the emperor will never end well...

(End of this chapter)