King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 594 The Ten Major Crimes of King Xiang
Outside Yin'an Gate in Prince Xiang's Mansion, the ladies who were present gathered here, and Tanchun and the other three stood behind these people in turn.

As soon as Baochai got out of the sedan, everyone took the initiative to greet her and then saluted her one after another.

"I was delayed today, please don't blame me!" Baochai said to everyone with a smile.

Regardless of whether it was a courtesy or not, as a dignified prince and concubine, she was willing to apologize to everyone for such a trivial matter, which meant that she really respected everyone present.

"The ministers and wives are all idlers, but the princess is different from us. There are many things going on in and outside the palace every day... and it is inevitable to be delayed for a while!"

The person closest to Baochai at the scene was Mrs. Wang, but at this time she was lagging behind and could only watch others compliment Baochai.

Prince Xiang's Mansion is about to fall, but these people are still rushing to join in. I don't know how stupid they must be... Mrs. Wang cursed.

After greeting everyone, Baochai walked up to Mrs. Wang and looked at her aunt with a smile.

Mrs. Wang always felt uncomfortable in front of Baochai. She always felt that this girl was too thoughtful and she would reveal her flaws if she was not careful.

"Aunt... I haven't seen you for a long time. You look better!" Baochai spoke first.

"Thanks to the princess, everything in the house is going smoothly now, and people are in good spirits when happy events happen!" Mrs. Wang replied with her waist slightly raised.

As soon as she said this, all the ladies present felt ridiculous, because it was really because Mrs. Wang's words were inappropriate.

It is clear that Prince Xiang's Mansion is in constant trouble, but you say that you are a blessing to others, and you also say that people are in high spirits during happy events...

Baochai has always been very aware of her aunt's stupidity, so she said without changing her expression: "Speaking of TOEFL, recently I have been blessed by the crown prince and crown princess!"

A smart person can always connect what he wants to say in an appropriate way, and then smoothly take control of the conversation.

Looking at everyone present, Baochai held his forehead and said: "I think you all know that the palace has been impeached repeatedly recently, and I am extremely worried about this matter..."

"Fortunately, my brother and sister-in-law take good care of me and try my best to protect me... I can barely survive in this house, otherwise I would have been drowned by people's words!"

Everyone present knew what the prince had done recently, and they all agreed and praised the prince and his wife.

Baochai has expressed her gratitude to the East Palace in public countless times, but today she wants to kidnap Prince Rui's Mansion.

So while everyone was talking, I heard Baochai continue to say: "Today I went to Prince Rui's Mansion, oh... I didn't even say a few words, but my sixth sister-in-law knew what I wanted and promised to beg for me. Get justice!"

She was a princess. As soon as she spoke, everyone fell silent and listened to her seriously.

"I told my sixth sister-in-law that there is no need to seek justice. As long as she can speak a little bit of justice for us, the two brothers will not be in vain!"

It is said that a gentleman should be filial when he comes in and he will be fraternal when he comes out. Loving and caring for his brothers is in line with the meaning of filial piety and fraternity. It is also called the unspoken rule of relatives hiding from each other...

Therefore, regardless of whether Zhu Jinghong is at fault or not, Zhu Jingyuan, who manages a virtuous image, should help him.

Of course, the prince's party used the same logic to fight against the people in the DPRK.

At this time, the destined woman saw the opportunity and said: "His Royal Highness Prince Rui is virtuous, and Princess Rui is sensible... Since they said they would help, they will definitely help, and the princess can feel more at ease!"

Someone else said: "The royal heirs are respectful brothers and sisters. This is how your Majesty and the Queen have taught you. This will set a model for the world!"

The words of the latter person raised the matter to a higher level, and this was also Baochai's main purpose.

In the next period of time, she will seize every opportunity to praise Prince Rui's Mansion and put herself in an absolutely weak position.

No matter what the courtiers think, as long as the emperor and queen feel that their youngest son is weak, helpless and wronged, then Prince Xiang's Mansion will make a lot of money.

After greeting everyone, Baochai and Yiyi went to the back garden, where everything had been arranged. They would drink tea, chat, and take a walk here...

This is her daily life. In a sense, she is so unpretentious and boring every day...

Although she was a high-ranking princess, Baochai was only eighteen years old after all. After communicating closely with a group of women, she finally talked to Tanchun and the others.

As for these guests, even if Keqing comes to greet them, it will not affect the atmosphere.

In front of Baochai, Tanchun and the others were not too restrained. After all, they met frequently on weekdays, and they also knew that Baochai was amiable and approachable.

The trust of Tanchun and the others also made Baochai feel ashamed, because the things she planned in private could destroy the Jia family in one fell swoop.

I will protect you then...

Looking at Tanchun who is beaming with joy, Yingchun who is gentle and elegant, and Xichun who is still childish... Baochai made such a promise in her heart.

Of course, she is self-aware and does not think that she can be called a good person just because she does this.

When did I become what I am now? She couldn't explain it in detail. She could only broadly think that it changed after entering the royal family.

In the midst of this small talk, the whole day passed by.

On October 20, the regular meeting was held as scheduled according to the system.

In the current era, regular court meetings, like large court meetings, are also ceremonial in nature. They are held in Chongzheng Hall, which is the second largest building in the palace.

Compared with the Great Court Meeting, the number of officials in the Chang Dynasty was reduced by more than 70%, with only cabinet ministers, principal and deputy officials from the Sixth Ministry, the Five Temples, the Sixth Section, and the Hanlin Academy, as well as senior generals from the Fifth Army Governor's Office in Beijing participating.

The emperor was enthroned and his ministers paid homage. Everything was normal.

But Zhu Xianming knew that among the officials participating in the discussion, there were at least a dozen people who wanted to attack on the spot.

Zhu Xianming didn't panic at all, because he was ready to fight, and he would deal with anyone who dared to stab him.

Knowing that he wanted to use King Xiang to quell the rebellion, and knowing that this was his own son, these ministers still refused to criticize, stalked and impeached... In Zhu Xianming's view, these behaviors were completely challenging his own authority.

The emperor he fought on horseback was naturally not afraid of these civil servants.

Five-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged officials. There are so many candidates in the Imperial College and the world, and anyone who picks them out can become an official, so Zhu Xianming is really not afraid of killing a few people.

Since the Chang Dynasty is of a ceremonial nature, it will naturally arrange several innocuous agendas. For example, the first item today is for the Ministry of Rites to report on the results of the autumn examinations in each province, and then for the Ministry of War to report on the military merits approved by the northwest...

After a total of five agenda items are over, normally the meeting should be over.

But most people present knew that the court meeting had just begun.

After the etiquette officer asked the officials procedurally if they had anything to report, they saw that everyone in the etiquette department was attending to the matter. They held the memorial in hand and kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have this memorial!"

Picking up the tea cup, Zhu Xianming said slowly: "Speak!"

The emperor's indifferent expression made Bi An feel worried, but he still had the courage to say: "Your Majesty, I and thirty-two colleagues have participated in the impeachment of King Xiang for his lawlessness and wanton conduct that harmed the country and the people, a total of ten major crimes... …”

"First, he repeatedly violated the ancestral system, interfered with local affairs, and caused trouble..."

"Second, acting recklessly..."

"Third, greed for money and gain..." "Fourth, lust and corruption..."

"fifth……"

The ten charges cover all aspects. They are a comprehensive denial of Zhu Jinghong and a crusade against him.

From what others called a chat after dinner four years ago, to the brave prince who is now feared by civil servants, this just proves Zhu Jinghong's success...

No matter how much he conceals himself, it cannot cover up his strength.

Bi An was very fortunate that he was able to finish reading this bullet without being interrupted by the emperor.

But he didn't know that what he read out not only made the emperor dissatisfied, but also made the senior officials of the Fifth Army Commander's Office change their expressions.

In the final analysis, the content of the civil servants' attack on Zhu Jinghong is actually an attack on the martial artist. It is strange that these people are happy.

After Cheng Ying submitted the memorial, Zhu Xianming motioned for him to put it aside, and then said to the courtiers: "I have also heard about the impeachment of King Xiang, so when the general affairs were handed over to the prince's disposal, I did not have any further interference..."

He told lies when he opened his mouth, but Zhu Xianming still told them truthfully. His acting level was no worse than Zhu Jinghong's.

"Since someone has brought it up again in today's meeting, I think it's better to discuss it... If you all have any opinions, you can express them together today!"

Letting ministers take the initiative to express their attitude is the fastest way to distinguish between closeness and distance.

As soon as Zhu Xianming finished speaking, someone came out to pay homage: "Your Majesty, I deeply agree with what I said in the matter. I also ask that your Majesty deal with it impartially and in a correct manner..."

Then the second, third, fourth...

The words that appeared most frequently at the scene were the three words "I second my opinion."

More than a dozen people knelt down in a row, and more people were waiting and watching. These people were originally ready to second the proposal, but at the moment they were worried and hesitated.

"Your Majesty, what Bi An and others said is exaggerated, and I must not agree with it!"

The person who came out to speak was Chen Xueming, the Minister of Civil Affairs. This person was a disciple of Zhao Yushan, the first assistant. He followed the teacher's words and went out to refute.

Yesterday, the emperor summoned three cabinet ministers and asked them to understand the holy will and share the worries of the king and father tomorrow.

Chen Xueming's rebuttal was to share Zhao Yushan's worries with the emperor.

As for Zhao Yushan himself, as the first assistant, he would naturally not speak casually, and it would be too embarrassing to be in line with Xiaoxiao.

In fact, considering Chen Xueming's status as the Minister of Personnel, debating with these censors could already be considered "downward compatibility."

Next, Chen Xueming refuted the ten major accusations raised by Bi An one by one, and they were convincing and justified.

Among the top two rankers, Chen Xueming was a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, and his skill with the pen was actually better than those of the Sixth Section.

It's a pity that at this time, it's not just about being reasonable. Debates can easily turn into sophistry, and then quarrels and mutual accusations...

Chen Xueming was not fighting alone. In order to show their loyalty to the emperor, the three bachelors used their own confidants to rebut.

As a result, the court meeting continued in a tumultuous state, and Zhu Xianming felt like he was about to doze off.

Provoking opposition among civil servants was originally his way of controlling the court, and Zhu Xianming was also very familiar with this.

At the end of the argument, no one could convince anyone. Finally, Bi An kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, please make a clear decision and severely punish King Xiang for his impunity, so as to revitalize the court..."

"Your Majesty is a fair and honest majesty and will not harbor selfish motives to protect Prince Xiang..."

After finishing speaking, more people kowtowed and shouted: "Your Majesty, please make a clear decision and deal with it impartially..."

A group of people headed by Chen Xueming also knelt aside and begged the emperor not to believe one side of the story.

Looking at the current scene, Zhu Xianming only thought it was funny, and he had no intention of playing anymore.

Just when he was about to speak, Li Qingxiang, a colleague of the Northern Division, came to him and whispered: "Your Majesty... Officials gathered outside Chongzheng Gate. They took off their hats and knelt down to admonish, please deal with His Highness Prince Xiang justly!"

Knowing that someone else was about to show up, Zhu Xianming didn't panic for a while. He wanted to see how many people would show up and dare to take off their hats in such an extreme way to remonstrate.

Looking down, Zhu Xianming spoke for the first time: "The matter has not yet been decided. We always have to find out the truth before we deal with it!"

"What do you think, sir?"

Led by Chief Assistant Zhao Yushan, the cabinet ministers and the six ministries and nine ministers present all bowed down and worshiped: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Of course, this is just a matter of circumstance. What is the position of these people? They did not incite the officials and disciples to remonstrate. It is all unknown to anyone.

When an official reaches the level of Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, he himself can be called a mountain, and his true attitude depends on where he sits.

Nowadays, these people all call themselves "sages", but whether they really think so in their hearts is a question mark in Zhu Xianming's opinion.

Of course, there is no need to dig deeper. After all, people’s hearts can’t bear to dig deeper, and it won’t look good on everyone’s faces if they pierce that layer of window paper.

In other words, those who have reached the level of Liubu Jiuqing are considered to be bigger grasshoppers and cannot be crushed to death casually like people like Bi An.

Of course, these people are not impossible to deal with when necessary. For example, in the year when Zhu Xianming first succeeded to the throne, he dealt with many high-ranking officials in the court and central government.

"Your Majesty... the facts of the crime reported by the ministers are clear and sufficient, and they are all in the memorial. How can your Majesty say that the truth is unknown!"

"The sage has a saying. If you raise the straight and wrong, the people will be convinced. If you raise the straight and wrong, the people will not obey... Now King Xiang has lost His Majesty's willful protection. How can he convince the whole court? How can he convince the common people and vassals inside and outside Jiuzhou?"

"The glorious dynasty, the majesty of the kingdom, will not be corrupted..."

By saying these words at this time, Bi An was really putting his life and death at risk in order to gain a reputation for being loyal and upright.

In this way, he has become a wise minister recognized by the government and the public. Even if he is dismissed from office now, he will have a chance to rise again when the prince or even Prince Rui succeeds to the throne.

Of course, if he loses the bet, he will have to reincarnate again.

When Zhu Xianming was organizing words in his mind, intending to accuse Bi An and others of "coercing the emperor's father", an express delivery from North Korea was delivered to the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Zhu Jinghong's reports never went through the General Affairs Department, but were directly submitted to the emperor.

The eunuch in charge of the rites department would certainly understand the holy will. Seeing that the message was a great victory, he quickly sent it to Chongzheng Hall regardless of the fact that the court meeting was still going on.

The Chief of Ceremonies was to the west of Chongzheng Hall. When the eunuch on duty passed through the palace gate, he was surprised to find dozens of people kneeling here, and all of them took off their official hats and put them aside.

Are these people trying to force her into a palace? The eunuch who delivered the good news guessed so.

But he was not in the mood to pay so much attention, but rushed to Chongzheng Hall as quickly as possible. He knew how important the victory report in his hand was.

(End of this chapter)