The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 668: Planting dogwood all over the place
Capital.

Li Dongyang has been inquiring about Xie Qian for several days, but whether it is the officials from the Ministry of Justice who have been to Fusi in Beizhen, or the news from Qianhu and Baihu who are familiar with each other in Jinyiwei, Li Dongyang feels a sense of powerlessness. feel.

Xie Qian seemed to have been put on death row, and any news about him was blocked.

"I'm afraid Yu Qiao's situation is getting worse." Li Dongyang went to the cabinet to check in this morning. It was already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and the New Year would be celebrated in two days.

At this time, the iron triangle of the cabinet must be happily waiting for the New Year, but this year is very different from the past... there is one less person planting dogwood.

Liu Jiandao: "Not only you, I also asked people to investigate, and I learned that Yu Qiao's matter was personally sent by Li Zhang, the admiral of Dongchang. He may have been sent to a place in the city under strict supervision. Even torture."

Li Dongyang was silent.

This was something they had discussed before. If Xie Qian could not withstand the torture and gave up the two of them, the result would most likely be the destruction of the entire cabinet.

"For the current plan, we can only find Yu Qiao quickly or decide the case earlier." Liu Jiandao.

Li Dongyang said: "You mean, let the Ministry of Punishment mention this matter in more reports, so that His Majesty can settle the case earlier?"

"Yes." Liu Jiandao, "The year of Renxu is coming soon. Before then, do you want to decide the matter? Do you have to postpone it to the next year? You and I can also mention a few words about this in the memorial to Your Majesty. Admit your fault and let this matter go."

Li Dongyang asked: "Should we stop trying and help Qiao?"

Liu Jian stood up and said with a regretful look on his face: "It's not that you don't want to help, but your Majesty's attitude is really decisive. I'm afraid that in order to protect Zhang Bingkuan, your Majesty will ignore even the most basic principles of morality and law. This is a lot of mistakes. Since Yu Qiao is indeed not very thorough in his work. As long as we can save his life, even if he is a little homeless, and we will provide him with some protection, his descendants will definitely be properly accommodated. "

The implication.

We can't keep Xie Qian no matter how hard we try, so let's just give up.

Li Dongyang smiled bitterly and said: "Just a few words about the opening of two new yamen at Shangtingchu and Yanwutang have caused a cabinet minister to suffer such injustice. It is really outrageous. This matter must not be let go. Chao Gang must always be maintained.”

"Binzhi, it's good that you have backbone. But remember, everything must be done according to circumstances. Now His Majesty is partial to Zhang Bingkuan. You and I must understand that it is better not to confront others head-on." Liu Jian reminded.

Li Dongyang said: "Who is Zhang Bingkuan? He is not in the capital now. What has he done in this matter?"

Liu Jian thought for a while, and it seemed that Zhang Zhou was indeed not a threat.

"I have also participated in the impeachment." Li Dongyang said, "You and I have encountered more impeachments in the past two years than in previous years. Can't Zhang Bingkuan be impeached? The officials in the court and those who have opinions on this matter are bibi Yes, they will come out on their own..."

He was very disdainful of Zhang Zhou, but he did not go to participate in the impeachment in person, but instigated other officials to participate in the impeachment.

Taking advantage of Yan Guan's angry youth thoughts or the speculative ideas of this group of people, they were promised certain benefits and asked them to jump out and impeach Zhang Zhou to death.

"Bin Zhi, there's no need for that," Liu Jian said.

"We have to do it no matter what. In fact... I have already found someone to do it." Li Dongyang said, "Don't blame me for not discussing it with you, Zhongtang. It really can't let this matter go! Just pretend that Zhongtang doesn't know about it, and everything... give it to me."

……

……

Li Dongyang works more directly.

If you don't want to impeach Ma Yi, Wang Shouren, or Zhang Mao, if you want to impeach, just directly impeach Zhang Zhou. Except that he didn't take action personally, the incident this time was quite big.

Mainly because many people in the court sympathized with Xie Qian and believed that Xie Qian was just speaking impartially and had no fault. Also because this group of people had been tortured too much by the civil service group, and they all felt that Zhang Zhou was a traitor... Mainly because they did not They didn't know what Zhang Zhou had done, and they didn't seem to care to know.

As long as they think it is right, they will do it. Some people are still stubborn and will not look back even if they hit a wall.

When Li Dongyang mentioned this matter to Liu Jian, three joint memorials, plus more than a dozen separate memorials, almost all accused Zhang Zhou of controlling the government, competing for profits with the people, ignoring Ming Dynasty laws, and nepotism... In general, Zhang Zhou was described as the biggest traitor since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, and Zhang Zhou was criticized until his body was completely bruised.

Just like this, a bunch of memorials were presented to Zhu Youtang.

"Your Majesty..." Chen Kuan, who sent the memorial, looked very cautious, because he knew that the emperor would hate this the most.

Zhu Youtang picked up a few copies and read them. His expression was calm. He put down the memorial and said, "It seems that their counterattack has begun."

Chen Kuan said: "Your Majesty... what does this mean?"

Zhu Youtang pointed to the pile of memorials and said: "Isn't this? I want to convict Xie Qian of death. They knew that they were wrong in some places and did not ask Xie Qian for his explanation, but they thought of dragging Bingkuan into the water. This is considered What? Do you want to give me some color?"

"This..." Chen Kuan wanted to defend Wen Chen, but he couldn't say anything.

Firstly, I didn’t know what to say, and secondly, there was really no need to say anything.

If you insist on standing against the emperor, isn't that the same as seeking death? Previously, Xiao Jing just pretended to be a good guy, but ended up helping civil servants too much, and he got himself into trouble.

Zhu Youtang said: "I want to express my gratitude to Yu Qiao because of Bingkuan? It's because these people do things completely unreasonably and only follow their so-called rules. As long as they don't follow their rules, they will think it's wrong." Strange people... Uncle Xin Xin transferred his troops to Pianguan. In their eyes, such an ordinary thing could be used as an excuse, and it could even rise to the level of treason. If I want to punish Xie Qian, they will impeach Bingkuan... It’s as if I’m doing all these things for Bingkuan!”

Chen Kuan said: "Your Majesty, please calm down."

"I'm not angry, I have seen through this group of people." Zhu Youtang said, "Before I met Bingkuan, I also thought they were a little arrogant in their actions, but it was not like they are now. Nothing good happens in the government and the public. Do, when it comes to the matter of party unity and opposition, these people will all stare at each other... go to jail."

The emperor also looked away.

The rules have been established for you. Whoever participates in the impeachment of Zhang Zhou will be unlucky. Since you are stubborn, I will also make it happen for you.

Anyway, you participated in the impeachment of Zhang Zhou and made others think that you were loyal ministers. You have already gained fame and fortune. Now, by sending you to prison, you will further complete your reputation of not fearing the powerful... Do you still want to lose nothing?
Being sentenced to prison, suffering physical torture, and even losing your life, that is the price you have to bear for the sake of clearing your name.

Chen Kuan was a little anxious when he heard this. After all, he didn't want to see a complete rift between the emperor and the civil servants, but he couldn't persuade him directly.

Chen Kuan said: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, will it make the world misunderstand Cai Guogong even more?"

"There are not enough misunderstandings?" Zhu Youtang flicked his sleeves and said, "If there is no misunderstanding, why are they saying these things to me? Knowing that you can't convince them, there is no need to reason anymore, everything must be according to the rules. Zhengchen is Yes, but we should also distinguish between right and wrong. If Bingkuan did something wrong, I can completely understand their impeachment. But look at what they impeached... is there anything serious about it? "

"This... is true." Chen Kuan quickly followed the emperor's wishes and said, "Although it cannot be said to be something out of thin air, it is all misinterpreting the meaning of His Majesty and Duke Cai."

Zhu Youtang said: "This group of people have been blinded by anger. The only thing that can make them wake up, apart from sticks and chains, is to be sent to the frontier and let them suffer the pain of flesh and blood. Go ahead and say this, so Just do it!”

Chen Kuan saw that the emperor was resolute, but he himself felt that those civil servants were too stubborn. They knew that there were tigers in the mountains and went to the tiger mountains. Are you full?
If you are looking for a beating, if the emperor beats you, you will be in trouble.

"Yes." Chen Kuan quickly responded.

……

……

The last day of the year, the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

New Year's Eve. There was a lively and festive atmosphere in the Harbor New City. No matter what the construction site was, it was a day off. However, many people stayed in the workshop and did not go back because there would be many celebration programs that day. As the city lord, Zhang Zhou even spent a lot of money. The reward is given to the people of a city.

Even merchants passing by here can receive a New Year gift.

And at noon that day, when Zhang Zhou had just had lunch and was about to go to the courtyard where the daughter of the Cui family was placed, news came from the capital that the emperor was going to punish twenty-three officials who participated in his impeachment.

"Master." Sun Shangqi took something and said, "This is a secret letter from His Majesty to you."

The emperor wrote a letter to a minister, and it was a personal letter, which made Sun Shangqi feel that the relationship between the emperor and his minister was extraordinary.

Zhang Zhou opened it and looked at it briefly.

In addition to telling him to punish the twenty famous officials, the emperor also said that he would investigate the culprit behind the incident. But in fact, Zhang Zhou knew that it came from the cabinet's instructions without even thinking about it. But this time Liu Jian or Li Dongyang were there. You must be careful when giving instructions so that no one can catch you.

The situation where Xie Qian used to order officials openly and openly like before is actually gone forever.

After all, you need to know how to restrain yourself.

"It seems like more people are coming here to work." Zhang Zhou said.

Sun Shangqi asked: "My lord, what do you mean?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Isn't it obvious? If someone is going to be questioned by His Majesty, Your Majesty will send them here to exercise their muscles and bones to let them know how difficult it is to survive. Or they can be rehabilitated."

Sun Shangqi said: "Then these people..."

"Give them some suffering." Zhang Zhou said, "When the new year comes, let them do hard work. They can only talk. Revitalizing the Ming Dynasty is not based on words. They want to be loyal and capable ministers, but they can't do anything. What's the use? Let them build ships!"

"Yes." Sun Shangqi probably knew it in his mind.

"These two pavilion elders are also extraordinary." Zhang Zhou commented with a smile.

"What you mean is that it came from the instructions of those two elders? Mr. Liu Ge and Mr. Li? They... are said to be loyal ministers in front of others. It seems that their reputations among scholars are quite good." Sun Shangqi I was also vaguely worried.

Because Zhang Zhou is now fighting against mainstream public opinion, which is equivalent to standing on the opposite side of the literati.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I am just too kind. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't treat others like this."

"This..." Sun Shangqi didn't quite understand.

Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head.

Thinking about history, in a few years, when Liu Jin comes to power and the Eight Tigers are rampant, what can these civil servants do?

Liu Jin was so ruthless that they didn't even dare to breathe. Li Dongyang wanted to be obedient and support Liu Jin as if he were his ancestor... But now, just because Zhang Zhou is a scholar, even the officials probably didn't think he would harm his colleagues. That's why they are so tit-for-tat.

"Too kind, too kind. So what? But it's time to be ruthless, and it's true that we shouldn't be merciful anymore." Zhang Zhou laughed and laughed at himself.

After all, he still wants to face someone.

If you are completely shameless like those powerful officials in history, then your life will no longer be so smooth.

I obviously want to be a human being with you, but you don't treat yourselves as human beings.

……

……

In the small courtyard.

The daughter of the Cui family is drying her clothes in the yard, or because she just brought them from the capital, and the hard journey, the clothes she brought need to be dried.

There was a dowry maid next to her helping her take the clothes from the box, while she herself was hanging them to dry.

After all, the Cui family is not a wealthy family. Cui Yuan was just the eldest princess's consort before, and did not bring much change to the family. In addition, the Cui family's daughter was originally a concubine, so she did not receive much favorable treatment. .

When Zhang Zhou came in, the woman who came with him wanted to ask for a reward.

The mother-in-law didn't know who Zhang Zhou was, or even if she did, she didn't know what Zhang Zhou's identity meant.

Sun Shangqi said: "Get away, the master is here, what else can you do? If you don't leave, you will be punished at the Yamenmen."

The mother-in-law ran away in despair.

Then the daughter of the Cui family inside heard the sound at the door and looked up.

Someone set off firecrackers behind the courtyard, and the crackling sound was so loud that she was somewhat frightened and wanted to cover her ears, but then she realized that she knew the man in front of her... thinking that this was the person she would follow for the rest of her life. His face turned red and he didn't even dare to raise his head.

Zhang Zhou walked over, smiled and waved his hand, and Sun Shangqi immediately left with the others.

"How can you do things by yourself? You didn't find anyone to help you?" Zhang Zhou walked over, took the clothes from the little girl of the Cui family, and helped her hang them up.

The daughter of the Cui family still lowered her head and found that Zhang Zhou was not paying attention to her side, but was still peeking at Zhang Zhou from the corner of her eyes.

For her, although she was not familiar with Zhang Zhou, she had heard a lot about Zhang Zhou's reputation. He was a heroic figure who could at least satisfy the girl's fantasy.

Even if he doesn't worship a hero, at least he is a big shot in front of him who does big things.

"I just came here, so I know where I am." The Cui family girl's voice was very soft.

Zhang Zhou said: "It doesn't matter if you go out for a walk, you can't always be bored. In the future, you will no longer use the front door. You can go wherever you want, but you must pay attention to safety when you go out. I will leave some people for you to let them To protect you, I’ll send a few more people to help.”

"Yes." The Cui family's daughter responded.

"What's your name?" Zhang Zhou then asked his little wife's name.

It is really a blind marriage and a dumb marriage. I was too embarrassed to ask about my maiden name before.

"Cui Ying." said the little girl of the Cui family.

"Cui Ying? It's very interesting. I guess your father must like to read "The Romance of the West Chamber" very much. Have you ever read "The Romance of the West Chamber"?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.

"No...but I've heard of it." Cui Ying said.

"Then I'll let you go and have a look. There are many opera troupes in the city during the New Year. You'll be with me these few days, along with Mingshan... It's rare to have you two close friends accompanying me in this foreign land, so it's a wonderful thing."

(End of this chapter)