Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 256 With iron as a contract, the emperor is in a dilemma

As the iron coupon of Dan Shu was revealed, the audience was in an uproar.

Originally, everyone thought that Sun Ming, the Marquis of Huichang, was about to be executed, but no one thought that the Marquis of Huichang's mansion would have a gold medal for avoiding death, which turned things around again.

It's just that some people also realized that Huichang Hou Mansion does have a gold medal for avoiding death.

The matter is naturally inseparable from the first Huichang Marquis Sun Jiming. Back then, Sun Jizong, the Marquis of Huichang, made great contributions in the change of seizing the door and became a Marquis because of his meritorious service.

Because of the relationship with Empress Dowager Sun, Yingzong added the title of "Fengtian Yiwei to promote sincerity and publicity hero" to Sun Jizong, and specially entered Dr. Guanglu and Zhuguo, and bestowed iron coupons on Dan Shu.

Compared with Shi Heng and others, this courtesy is unique, and it even has obvious partiality.It's just that the iron certificate of Dan Shu was indeed bestowed by the Emperor Yingzong, so it is naturally authoritative.

"wrong!"

It was at this moment that Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, suddenly stood up.

Everyone turned their heads to look at the official minister, their eyes full of confusion.

But without waiting for Zhu Youtang to ask, Changning Bo Zhou Yu asked with a bit of disdain: "Li Shangshu, what's wrong? You may not know the fact that Emperor Yingzong granted the iron certificate of Danshu to Huichang Houfu, but it is well known in the noble circles in the capital."

The common people in the hall didn't know about it, but after hearing Uncle Chang Ning say it so swearingly, they didn't quite believe that the Marquis of Huichang's mansion forged the Danshu iron certificate.

"Can you take a look!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, stood up and bowed to Zhu Youtang, and then asked Sun Nie.

Sun Nie looked up at his father, and seeing that his father had no intention of stopping, he arrogantly showed Li Yu his iron coupon of Danshu.

The iron coupon is shaped like a tile, with engraved calligraphy and painted columns. Because the words are filled with gold and water, the front reveals a different kind of nobility.Since each holds half, there is actually only the lower half here.

According to the normal format, the first half is to engrave the date of granting the certificate, the name of the recipient, the official rank, the city, and the meritorious deeds of the recipient; the lower half is the privilege given by the emperor to the recipient, and the emperor's oath.

Now this Danshu iron certificate presents Yingzong's oath, and the death-free privilege that Yingzong gave to Tan Guo Gongsun Jizong-"I am exempt from two deaths, and my son is exempted from one death."

Although more than [-] years have passed, it is well preserved and the gold characters are clearly visible.

Li Yu suddenly showed excitement on his face, and pointed to the inscription on the iron coupon: "Your Majesty, this iron coupon is clearly recorded: 'I will avoid two deaths, and my son will avoid one death'. Since this iron coupon of Danshu was obtained by Duke Tan, it will prevent the second death of Duke Tan, and the death of Sun Lian, the son of Duke Tan. Therefore, this coupon is still invalid!"

As soon as these words came out, Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, and others reacted one after another, and their faces could not help but burst into joy.

Unlike Wei Guogong's Danshu iron coupons that can protect future generations, the military achievements made by Sun Jizong today are not worthy of special mention, so the ordinary iron coupons given by Yingzong can be described as a generous gift.

It's just that the standard of the ordinary iron coupon is "to avoid two deaths, and to avoid one death". Although Sun Ming inherited the title from Sun Jizong, his identity is Sun Jizong's grandson.

That's why, although the iron coupon of the pill book was preserved intact, it could not save Sun Ming's life at all.

"That's right, this iron coupon for the Dan Shu has expired!"

"That's right, only his grandfather and father are protected, what's the matter with his grandson?"

"After a long time, I was almost cheated by him. I really shouldn't have guaranteed it!"

……

After hearing Li Yu's words, the eyes of the people in the hall lit up immediately, and they also realized that there was a flaw in the iron certificate of the alchemy book, so they excitedly echoed it.

Although they have no grievances with the Marquis of Huichang, and have nothing to do with Qian Fu, it is undoubtedly a great joy in life to see justice being preached.

Now things have turned around again, and now the iron certificate of the alchemy book that Sun Ming took out cannot avoid death at all, so naturally he has to be pushed to the guillotine.

"Li Shangshu, you only know one thing, but you don't know the other thing!" Just as everyone was in a state of excitement, the little old man who followed suddenly stood up and said.

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes fell on the little old man.

This little old man has a white beard and fair skin. He is over sixty years old, but his overall mental state is well maintained, especially his eyes are shining.

Li Yu recognized that this was Sun Jizong's eldest son, Sun Zan. Since he was a concubine, the title of Marquis of Huichang was inherited by his direct line, so he glanced lightly at him and said, "Sun Zan, I would like to hear more about him!"

Zhu Youtang frowned slightly, and also looked up and down at the Sun family, faintly feeling that things might change.

From Sun Ming's clean confession just now, to the appearance of this iron certificate of Danshu, it is impossible for this group of people not to know the limitations of this iron certificate.

That's the case, judging from the little old man's words and demeanor, there may be another explanation for the matter, otherwise it is unlikely that the Marquis of Huichang would be so confident.

Although Sun Ming, Marquis of Huichang, was already kneeling in the hall, a look of arrogance flashed across his eyes at this moment.

Everyone thought that he had committed suicide just now, but they didn't know that what his grandfather and father left behind was not only the title and wealth, but also this gold medal for avoiding death.

After Sun Zan greeted Zhu Youtang, he told the whole story: "Because Ming'er was naughty when he was young! When I received a generous gift from Emperor Yingzong in Changhou Mansion, my father and younger brother went to the palace to meet Emperor Yingzong. Empress Xiao Gongsun was also present at the time. Father Yun, younger brother and Sun Ming were all spared from death!"

ah?Three generations of grandparents and grandchildren each die?
When hearing these words, everyone present could not help but look at each other in blank dismay.

If things were really as Sun Zan said, then this Iron Book of Alchemy could still be used on Sun Ming, and Sun Ming would naturally be able to avoid death.

At this point, everyone's excitement just disappeared, and they looked blankly at Song Cheng and the emperor behind Song Cheng.

Song Cheng's brows were slightly frowned, and he straightened his face: "Take the iron as the contract, and use the alchemy to write it. Now, of course, the content recorded above is used as the proof. How can we add to the old saying, so the iron certificate is no longer valid!"

"Bold, you, a little prince of the Shuntian government, dare to despise Emperor Yingzong and Empress Xiaogong Sun, what should you do?" Sun Zan pointed at Song Cheng, and sharply accused him.

Huichang Hou Sun Ming, who was kneeling on the ground, panicked suddenly, and a stern look flashed in his eyes.

There is indeed a loophole in this iron coupon. Although Emperor Yingzong agreed to it back then, he did not formally replace the iron coupon of the written Danshu.

If the current emperor doesn't recognize what happened back then, or even what Emperor Yingzong said verbally, then he might not be able to keep his head.

Song Cheng's face did not change, and he seemed to be tit for tat: "The governor of the government has no intention of disrespecting Emperor Yingzong and Empress Xiaogong, but the iron certificate is "deeded by iron and written by alchemy". Naturally, it must be based on the above book. How can you add oral words? It's been a long time, so how can you rely on your words?"

"You ignorant lunatic, you're just messing around here! Your Majesty, this matter is not fabricated by our Huichang Hou Mansion, the court must have it, please check it!" Sun Zan accused Song Cheng, and then asked Zhu Youtang.

Zhu Youtang has been observing Sun Zan's words and deeds, but he knows that this matter should be true.

After all, the price of deceiving in this kind of matter is too high, and it is not difficult for him to check the truth.It's just that Song Cheng is also reasonable, and everything depends on the iron certificate of the Danshu.

It's just that as an emperor, what needs to be considered is not justice and personal likes and dislikes, but his own imperial power, so the verbal promise of Emperor Yingzong cannot be easily overturned.

Song Cheng is a person who accepts death, and he is not afraid of offending the Marquis of Huichang. He said: "Your Majesty, since the iron coupon is for death, the engraving on the iron coupon shall prevail. Today it is 'I will avoid two deaths, and my son will be spared one death', so the iron coupon is invalid. I request that the Marquis of Huichang be executed!"

"Song Fu Yin, what is your intention to kill my Huichang Hou Mansion by turning right and wrong in such a way?" Sun Zan asked, his beard bursting out of anger, and he seemed to be frothing.

Song Cheng's eyes were very firm, and he seemed to respond as a matter of course: "The governor of this house only recognizes the obvious laws of heaven! The seventeen lives of the Hou Huichang Mieqian's family will be paid for. This iron coupon is not included in the list of death, and it must be executed!"

"The words of Emperor Yingzong and Empress Xiaogong don't count. Are you trying to make His Majesty unfilial?" Sun Zan, a person who understands political struggles, said immediately.

Huh?
When Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, heard this question, he suddenly realized that he really should not behead Huichanghou so easily.

Although the Emperor Yingzong had passed away long ago, the current emperor's throne originated from Yingzong after all. If His Majesty does not recognize the verbal promise of Emperor Yingzong, it is very likely that he will be infamous for being unfilial.

Once this infamy falls to the local area, it may become the slogan of the local vassal prince's uprising in the future, especially Zhu Youtang's brothers do have a lot of brothers.

Song Cheng knew that some crimes were unbearable, so he explained: "The governor of this government has no such intention, but discusses the matter with the iron certificate of Dan Shu, and the marquis of Huichang should be executed! Only strict laws can make the people of the world fear the law and follow the law!"

The two of them fought back and forth in this courtroom, and they fought each other for several rounds, but it still didn't mean to end.

"Your Majesty, I think that Marquis Chang can be temporarily imprisoned until the facts are verified!" Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, knew that this kind of dispute was meaningless, so he stood up and made a proposal.

The Ministry of Industry Shangshu Jia Jun and others who had been silent all this time knew that the case had risen to a higher level, especially now that the emperor was actually in a dilemma, so they all stood up and agreed.

Zhu Youtang knew that he couldn't just ignore the existence of Danshu Iron Coupon, and now the best coping strategy is to procrastinate, even if he agrees: "Zuza!"

Hou Sunming of Huichang frowned slightly, but he knew that he couldn't escape this prison, after all, the iron coupon of the alchemy book he held was indeed flawed.

Although Song Cheng really wanted to bring Changhou to justice on the spot, but the matter involved the iron certificate of the alchemy issued by the royal family, and now it is a good result to put Changhou in custody.

"Sign up, go back to the palace!"

Liu Jin noticed Zhu Youtang's gaze, and immediately shouted with a long voice.

"Your Majesty will be sent off respectfully!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and other officials knelt down when they saw that Zhu Youtang was about to leave.

"The grass people send off your majesty respectfully, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" The people in the hall rejoiced that they could see the emperor in their lifetime, and they also knelt and said.

Today's case was full of twists and turns. At first, it was thought that the murderer was Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, and then it was found out that it was Sun Ming, Marquis of Huichang. As a result, Sun Ming actually took out the iron certificate of Danshu.

At this moment, the dark clouds dissipated again, and the golden sun shone on the kneeling people, and the bright yellow that represented the royal color was particularly dazzling.

Yin Songcheng of the Shuntian Mansion, who was wearing a third-rank official uniform, hesitated for a moment, but still made his request: "Your Majesty, the crime committed by the Marquis of Huichang is unforgivable. The iron certificate in the Dan Book does not exempt Sun Ming from death, please be sure to behead the Marquis of Huichang!"

The voice was so loud that Sun Zan and other people in Huichang Hou Mansion stared at Song Cheng, and Sun Zan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Naturally, Zhu Youtang would not respond to Song Cheng's request, but he pretended not to hear it, and went straight to the gate, and then boarded Hou Zai's golden gate outside the gate of Shuntian Mansion.

Why didn't he want to behead Huichang Hou, but the iron certificate of Danshu is related to the credibility of the royal family, and it is even more related to his filial piety.Even if he is the Son of Heaven, he must be cautious in handling this matter.

Although the emperor was out of the palace this time, the Shuntian government office was not far from the north gate of the Forbidden City, so it did not disturb the people too much, and returned to Da Nei after only crossing two streets.

The first month of the second year of Hongzhi is destined to be a lively month.

Originally, the massacre of the Qian family had attracted widespread attention from the people of Beijing, but now the majestic emperor came out of the palace to listen, causing the people of the whole Beijing to talk about it.

It's just that where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, let alone the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

The case of Shuntian Mansion spread all over the streets and alleys of Beijing that day, but the case of Marquis Huichang was far from as simple as everyone thought, and the turmoil suddenly arose.

"Such evil deeds cannot be tolerated unless the Marquis of Huichang is beheaded!"

"In my opinion, after all, they are relatives of the emperor, and of course His Majesty wants to protect them!"

"If you ask me, the court records must be an excuse. I think this matter was discussed in advance!"

……

Regarding the handling of the Huichanghou case, many scholars pointed at Zhu Youtang one after another, thinking that Zhu Youtang was trying to cover up the treacherous and evil Huichanghou Sun Ming.

"Emperor Yingzong and Empress Gongsun agreed, so they will naturally avoid death!"

"The Great Ming ruled the world with filial piety, and it would be unfilial for the emperor to behead the Marquis of Huichang!"

"If it is a verbal promise, but since it is the words of Emperor Yingzong, the descendants must follow it!"

……

It's just the same case, but many people have maintained the status of Dan Shu's iron certificate. If Zhu Youtang beheaded Huichang Hou, it would be unfilial.

In the public opinion in the capital, no matter which method Zhu Youtang chooses, he is destined to be criticized by others, and he must choose one of covering up big treacherous evils and being unfilial.

The affairs of the world are so bizarre. It is clear that Zhu Youtang considers the interests of the people in everything, but his reputation among the scholars in the capital is on the decline.

That night, the matter related to the court records became clear.

"Your Majesty, the humble position has been verified!" Guo Yong led all the eunuchs in the Superintendent of Rituals to search for it just after he came back today, and now it finally has results.

Zhu Youtang knew that he would come after all, so he asked lightly, "How?"

"There is indeed a record of this matter, and Yingzong did agree at that time, please take a look at it!" Guo Yong sighed secretly, and submitted the corresponding record.

Zhu Youtang took the court records, and after seeing the relevant records above, he couldn't help but secretly sighed.

Although he had already guessed that it would be such a result, he was caught in a dilemma when he found out that the matter was really as the people in Huichang Hou's Mansion said.

(End of this chapter)