Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 953 Ye Sheng
As autumn approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder.

However, the time for the court meeting was not postponed. It was just dawn, and in the square in front of the Jinshui Bridge, all civil and military officials were already waiting, chatting together in twos and threes.

The majestic bell rang, and the palace gate slowly opened. Under the scolding of the imperial censor, the elders finally assembled their team, and with the first rays of the rising sun, they stepped into the palace city.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

Today is the regular court once every ten days, and all the civil and military officials in Beijing, except those who are on sick leave or unable to go to court for some reason, are basically all here.

Among them, the censors of science and education are the most complete.

As famous trolls in the Ming Dynasty, now the emperor wants to cover their mouths for no reason.

I thought it was just talking, but I didn't expect it to be for real?

How can this be tolerated?

If it doesn't work, go to the hall!
A group of censors looked solemn, standing in the hall, already ready to go.

"In the past few days, I have received a lot of memorials, all of which are about the reform of science and Taoism, and there are other rituals that are all about Lin Cong, and the above two things."

"Since the imperial court has always had a tradition of playing rumors and events, admonishing me should not violate the rules lightly, block the way of speech, and then talk about science and Taoism, it is for the sake of the country and society, admonishing me to condemn Zhang Ying, the censor of Yunnan Dao, and Huke to give things to me. It is really inappropriate to choose Li Xi."

"Recently, there have been a lot of court discussions on this matter. Since this is the case, today's court meeting will first discuss the treatment of Zhang Ying and Li Xi."

The first emperor looked calm as usual, and gave orders lightly.

So, as the instigator and the spokesperson promoted by the gang of censors, Lin Cong stepped forward first and said.

"Your Majesty, I have learned from the Taizu that our dynasty established the country, that is to say, the road is smooth. The so-called listening to both is clear, and listening to others is dark. It is the duty of those who are ministers to help the society and admonish the emperor. It is also an act for the country and the people. .”

"Your Majesty thinks that Zhang Ying and Li Xi's speeches were made out of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Your Majesty's condemnation for his words is really detrimental to the virtue of sages. I implore your Majesty to order the two officials to return to their posts, so as to secure the peace of the government and the public. Heart."

As soon as Lin Cong's words fell, many censors immediately echoed and came forward to speak.

"Your Majesty, what Master Lin said is true, please learn from Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang Ying and Li Xi are not at fault. Because they are sinners, they were not the actions of the Holy King. I hope that Your Majesty will order the two officials to return to their posts."

"The minister agrees..."

Obviously, this group of officials from the Science and Technology Department must have discussed it in private.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for so many people to come out as soon as they came up.

Of course, as long as you have a clear enough understanding of the personal connections in the officialdom, you will be able to find that the few censors who stand up now are basically Zhang Ying and Li Xi's old friends in the same year.

This is also the customary trend among the officials of the Kodao, and it is not surprising, after all, the officials of the Kodao are known as having small positions and great power.

However, a small job is just a small job, and his grade is not enough, so the weight is naturally not that high. If he doesn't make a blockbuster like deadly remonstrance, then the best way is to gain momentum in the court.

As these few people came out together, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became lively, and many officials below began to discuss in a low voice.

At this time, Shen Jing from the Ministry of War took the lead, said.

"Your Majesty, I think what Master Lin said is inappropriate!"

In a word, it attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.

Everyone knows that Shen Jing's backer is the well-known Heavenly Official Wang Wen, this Heavenly Official, after all, is a person of status.

To put it bluntly, if you want to be scolded by Wang Tianguan, you need some status, at least you need to start with a third rank.

Like these six or seven rank officials, it's not enough for the old man to come out in person. At this time, it's naturally time for Shen Jing to come forward.

What's more, others don't know about the various relationships among these censors, but Shen Jing is very clear.

You know, before he was transferred to the military department, he was a person who tested the meritorious service.

Shen Jing's heart is filled with the resumes of the whole court.

Since it was a matter of discussion, it was natural to speak freely. Therefore, facing Shen Jing's refutation, Lin Cong did not shy away and asked directly.

"Dare to ask Mr. Shen, what's wrong?"

Sensing the gazes from all sides, Shen Jing still stood firmly in place, said.

"Master Lin just said that His Majesty is a sinner because of his words. This is absurd!"

Turning their bodies sideways, Shen Jing and Lin Cong stood opposite each other, but they remained calm when they spoke.

At this time, the low voices of discussion in the court hall gradually stopped.

They knew early on that the court would not be peaceful today, but they never expected that there would be such a fierce confrontation right from the start.

Lin Cong is the favorite student of the old heavenly official Wang Zhi, while Shen Jing is the new heavenly official Wang Wen's confidant. The conflict between the two is quite interesting.

While talking, Shen Jing arched his hands towards the superior, and said.

"Your Majesty has always graciously admonished officials, and would never convict officials because of his words. Zhang Ying and Li Xi's crimes, the previous decree is clear, it is because they exceeded their duty and disobeyed the imperial decree, not because they gave a speech. "

"Master Shen's words are wrong!"

After hearing this, Lin Cong immediately retorted.

"The officials heard about the matter, how could they go beyond their duty?"

"Zhang Ying and Li Xi are dedicated to their duties, and they have nothing to seek personal gain. What they do is only the words of the superior."

"If this is not a crime for words, why is it a crime for words?"

Shen Jing frowned, looked at Lin Cong's gaze, a little more unfriendly, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said.

"It is indeed the right to speak out about matters, but His Majesty has issued a decree that officials of all disciplines should not go beyond their duties without authorization and speak out of matters beyond their authority."

"Zhang Ying is the censor of Yunnan Province, and Li Xi is the household division. The two of them don't share the frontier affairs, and they have nothing to do with military affairs. Isn't it a violation of authority to play rashly?"

"As for the statement that comes from a public heart, it is even more unconvincing. His Majesty did not ban the words of science and Taoism, but also specially ordered the Ministry of Rites to cast a seal and allow officials to play it in secret."

"If the two of you want to remonstrate, you can report to His Majesty in secret. Why do you want to play it in a grand manner?"

"A gentleman behaves dignifiedly, and there is nothing he cannot say to others."

This time, Lin Cong didn't speak, but another person stood up and said.

"The two played to the court, and they are not afraid of the discussion between the court and the public. Doesn't it mean that they come from a public heart and have no selfishness?"

All military affairs are in the works, Ye Sheng!
One of Lin Cong's friends is not only similar in age and temperament, but also very consistent in many court affairs.

Moreover, this person's reputation in the court is quite special.

Ye Sheng is a ten-year orthodox Jinshi. He was first awarded the military department to Shizhong, and he was given to Shizhong when he found it.

Officials in central Beijing used to travel in sedan chairs, shouting at the front and hugging at the back, with frequent attendants, but Ye Sheng went in and out of his daily life all on foot, with few attendants and simple love.

He admired Fan Zhongyan since he was a child, and wherever he sat and lay in the mansion, there were portraits of Fan Wenzheng hanging up to encourage himself.

It should be said that if Ye Sheng is measured by the standard of a traditional scholar-bureaucrat, he is undoubtedly very qualified.

He has a gentle and simple personality, is an honest and diligent official, does not love fame and fortune, and does not like to form cliques, so that many people in the court compare him with Yu Qian.

Interestingly, even his friendship with Lin Cong is very similar to that of Yu Qian and Yu Shiyue.

Gentlemen get along with each other, but the group is not the party, which can be regarded as a model of friendship between scholars and bureaucrats.

Of course, there are no two identical people in this world. Ye Sheng is not Yu Qian, and he cannot be Yu Qian.

In addition to the characteristics of simplicity and integrity, another characteristic of Ye Sheng is that he is a very serious person who abides by etiquette and ethics.

After the emperor succeeded to the throne, he rewarded his ministers with the new king's ascension, but Ye Sheng refused to accept it on the grounds that the emperor was still covered in dust and drifted north.

Although in the end, the reward was accepted under the strong order of the emperor, but it is enough to see the character of this person.

This is a man who admits death!

More importantly, he has an excellent reputation among scholars, which makes many people have scruples when facing Ye Sheng.

Of course, as Wang Tianguan's confidant, Shen Jing naturally has a bit of his old man's style of arresting and scolding.

Even if the opponent was Ye Sheng, it only made him frown, and then opened his mouth to refute.

But this time, he was a step slower, someone rushed ahead of him, said.

"Lord Ye, the censor of Ke Dao, there is nothing wrong with saying things in his own right. I also believe that all the ministers in the court, the top and the bottom, and those who say things in this way are all out of loyalty to the country."

"However, the state has national laws, the family has family rules, and the imperial court has edicts. Before there are new edicts, they must be followed."

"Zhang Ying, is it true that Li Xi ignored His Majesty's will?"

"If it is true, then why is it wrong for His Majesty to condemn you for this?"

East Palace, Yu Yan!
The former minister of the emperor's hidden residence, during the War of Oara, was ordered to go to the border inspections many times, and even helped the guards of the pass to repel the enemy soldiers.

If the relationship between Shen Jing and the Son of Heaven is separated by a layer, then Yu Yan is obviously a pure Son of Heaven party.

Of course, this difference can be ignored in court.

Seeing Yu Yan who suddenly stood up, Shen Jing was taken aback for a moment, but then he saw Yu Yan glance at him indistinctly, obviously intending to stop him.

Although he hadn't figured out why, but out of trust, Shen Jing still immediately stopped talking.

Then, Yu Yan continued.

"Lord Lin and Lord Ye feel that something is wrong. In the final analysis, they feel that Zhang Ying and Li Xi were convicted and exiled because of their slanderous speeches.

"However, Mr. Shen has made this point very clear just now. His Majesty condemned Zhang Ying and Li Xi not because of what they said in the previous report, but because they disobeyed the imperial edict and talked indiscriminately."

"The imperial court has its own system, and His Majesty has his own holiness. He can listen to the words and accept advice even if he directly stabs at the emperor's mistakes."

"However, rumors and rumors do not mean that you can violate the court regulations and ignore your majesty's imperial edict. If your majesty is relegated because of the two people's remonstrances, you will be punished because of the words. If the two people's words are wrong , Blaming and scolding is also a punishment for words."

"But now His Majesty is not punished for the content of his words, but for his disobedience and disobedience, how can it be said that he is punished for his words?"

These words are a bit convoluted.

However, the meaning is clearly explained.

To put it bluntly, the point of dispute between the two parties is actually on the issue of what constitutes a crime for speaking.

Lin Cong and Ye Sheng believed that Zhang Ying and Li Xi were just talking about what they said. They neither offended the emperor nor made any other mistakes.

This word refers to words.

However, Yu Yan was holding on tightly. The two were not convicted of 'talking about things', but for 'not following the process of talking about things'.

The two concepts are, of course, completely different.

Therefore, for a while, there was another murmur of discussion in the court hall. Obviously, the ministers below also had their own opinions on the two sides' statements.

At the same time, Shen Jing squinted his eyes, looked at Ye Sheng and Lin Cong who were facing down, and understood.

It's not that these two people don't know what the actual situation is, they just made it clear and want to confuse the concepts.

It has been a long-standing tradition of Ming Dynasty not to sin with words. As long as this point can be confirmed, then Zhang Ying and Li Xi will naturally be able to escape.

Facing Yu Yan's analysis, Lin Cong glanced at Ye Sheng, and then said.

"Speaking for the country, how can it be said that it is resisting and not obeying?"

As he spoke, he turned around and cupped his hands at the emperor above.

"Your Majesty, it is the duty of the officials to tell the rumors about the matter. If you remonstrate with Your Majesty, you must not block the way of speech. You should accept your advice widely. I implore Your Majesty to allow Zhang Ying and Li Xi to return to their original posts."

Ye Sheng also said: "The minister seconded the proposal."

"Your Majesty, I open up my way of speaking towards Laiguang. I have always been all-encompassing when I talk about things. If the way of speaking is blocked, the people's feelings will not be able to communicate. There may be a catastrophe. Your Majesty, please think twice."

After the two spoke, seven or eight censors came out and said one after another.

"My minister agrees."

Shen Jing watched coldly from the sidelines, glanced to the side from the corner of his eyes, but saw that there were still many censors standing in place, seemed to be hesitating, and immediately understood in his heart what the situation was now.

This time, Lin Cong and Ye Sheng must have colluded long ago. What they wanted was not to intercede with Zhang Ying and Li Xi at all.

What they are really aiming at is the edict of the emperor to reform the science.

It can be said that the punishment of Zhang Ying and Li Xi was the first time that this edict exerted its power in the court, and it also directly damaged the power of the speaker.

Therefore, when they rescued Zhang Ying and Li Xi, they were actually fighting against the imperial edict. If they succeeded, then the imperial edict would naturally be invalidated.

Because of this, they stubbornly insisted on being convicted for their words, trying to provoke the sensitive nerves in the hearts of other officials.

The officials of the Ming Dynasty were indeed very powerful, but it was the officials as a whole that were powerful, and the power they gathered was daunting.

It is impossible for Lin Cong and Ye Sheng to have the power to control the entire speaker, and no one in this court can have such power.

This decree of the Son of Heaven did indeed restrict the officials a lot, but, as Shen Jing said, it was only a restriction, and it did not block their way of speaking.

It's just that since then, it has been difficult for the speaker to invite names to buy straight through the previous means, which is actually not so difficult for most of the responsible speakers.

After all, there are people who are hard-headed officials, but not everyone likes to fight with the emperor.

Therefore, if they want to mobilize the power of these people, Lin Cong and Ye Sheng need to find a reason to mobilize them.

Being a sinner is a very good reason.

To put it bluntly, the officials of Ke Dao rely on their performances to make a living, so if the emperor is always guilty of sinning because of his words, then, for these officials, it is tantamount to blocking the passage of ascension.

This must be unacceptable to them. From this point of view, Shen Jing tried his best to explain to Lin Cong and Ye Sheng just now, but it was actually useless.

Because they knew the difference from the very beginning, they were just confusing it on purpose, and...

(End of this chapter)