unclear

Chapter 250
Blowfish poison, this is what Hong Tao guessed based on the physical characteristics he described after Cui Wensheng confessed.This guy's master is also a eunuch. His hometown is rich in fish called "air drum fish". The meat is delicious but highly poisonous and requires special means to be eaten.

Master Cui Wensheng's family knew this craft, and when they came to Cui Wensheng, they refined it, specializing in extracting toxins from internal organs and blood to harm people.Except for the Empress Dowager of the West Palace, countless eunuchs, maids and concubines died at his hands, and in the end they all died of unknown causes.

"This slave deserves to be cut to death by a thousand cuts!" When Chen Ju learned that it was due to his negligence that the emperor and the empress dowager were poisoned, his legs went weak and he collapsed on the ground, his face filled with death.As the head of the harem, no matter how much you shirk the blame, you cannot take away all the responsibility, not to mention that the emperor's biological mother died because of this.

"Get up, this matter has little to do with you. If you have to hold me accountable, I will have to bear a part of it. But from now on, you have to cheer up and abandon those unrealistic fantasies. As a eunuch, your fate is destined to be with We are tied together, and we will both prosper and suffer. There is no second choice.

If they had succeeded last night and Prince Fu succeeded to the throne, you and Wang An would probably be purged in the first wave.You have been branded with me and you will never be able to wash it away in your lifetime. "

Should Chen Ju be punished?Hong Tao's answer is no.This incident sounds like it was caused by the lax management of the harem. In fact, the management of the harem was already very strict. If it were any stricter, it would become a prison.

Some things are unavoidable, especially in a place like the palace where thousands of people live together day and night. The composition of the personnel is too complex and cannot be fully controlled.There is absolutely no need to punish one's own people for this. Instead, it makes outsiders laugh.

In fact, sometimes people who have made mistakes are more useful, because they know where they went wrong and will pay more attention in the future.At this time, tolerance is easier to make them grateful than punishment, and it is easier to gain a sense of recognition.

Of course, some people are born with no brains. They always make the same mistakes in the same place and refuse to correct themselves despite repeated admonitions.Chen Ju was able to sneak into the position of the Chief of Ceremonies, so he obviously did not belong to this kind of person.

"Thank you, Lord Long Live, for not killing me. I am extremely ashamed and ask for punishment!"

These words directly made Chen Ju cry. The 70-year-old man cried like a child. He cried out all the frustration, grievance, unwillingness and reluctance he had felt for decades in one breath, and then he grabbed the ground with his head again and resolutely Apply for punishment, or have the intention to quit, intending to give up the position to the younger Wang An.

"Otherwise, how about you help me suffer further grievances and be punished?"

Should the old eunuch be allowed to take a back seat?Hong Tao is the one who despises the leisure of those around him the most. He is fighting on the front line, so why should others retreat to the back and enjoy the happiness?If you're slightly injured, you can't leave the line of fire. If you die, you have to die at work.However, there is one exception, that is, you can play a greater role after retreating.

"I will do whatever I want to do, and I will not give up until I die!" Chen Ju answered simply, with a firm expression on his face, without any hesitation.

"That's right, I will demote you to Nanjing's Supervisor of Ceremonies for negligence. After you take office, you should have more contact with local officials, show a hint of unwillingness in private, and take the opportunity to observe whether anyone is dissatisfied. Report to me truthfully."

"...Long Live Lord wants this slave to be used as a bait to lure disobedient people into showing off their flaws?" Chen Ju never expected that the punishment method would be so weird. After thinking about it carefully for a moment, his eyes gradually became clear, as if he had realized something.

"Yes, I will soon implement the new policy, which will inevitably encounter firm opposition from some courtiers. Maybe someone will think of you. I will send two Cuju team members to accompany me, and you can communicate with me through secret messages. In addition, In addition, Wang Guotai is also a trustworthy person. You and him, both civil and military, are optimistic about Nanjing for me." My understanding is correct, but it is not comprehensive enough.The dignified Chief of Ceremonies, having gone through three dynasties, must be very rich in experience. It is obviously an understatement to just be an informant.Having him on the side to assist him made up for Wang Guotai's shortcomings of lack of experience, connections, and reputation.

On the second day of the Great Court Meeting, Chen Ju, the Chief of Ceremonies, was implicated in a treason case and was demoted. Considering that he was old and had made great contributions to the country, the emperor showed extra mercy and did not allow him to serve as a prisoner in the shrine. After being demoted to Nanjing, he continued to preside over the office of Supervisor of Ceremonies and also held the post of Deputy Guard.

But in terms of rank and importance, Chen Ju was not only demoted one level, but also became the deputy of his junior Wang Guotai, and he was probably a bit of a trap when he arrived in Nanjing.The emperor's move was entirely to show tolerance and win people's hearts.

In fact, the Nanjing Chief of Ceremonies and the deputy garrison have considerable authority. They are directly in charge of part of the Yangtze River and the power of the Nanjing Seventeen Guards, as well as the taxation of Jiangnan provinces and the tea, silk, and local specialties submitted to the court, plus many local products. Workshop craftsmen serving the royal family.

The stability of Nanjing's officialdom affected all provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, and Jiangnan was also an important tax base for the Ming Dynasty. If the control power was insufficient, once chaos broke out, the money and food consumed would be almost incalculable, and the various problems that would arise would be difficult to deal with in the early stages. It manifests itself until it suddenly breaks out and it is too late to suppress it.

However, Chen Ju's departure did not attract too much attention from the civil and military officials. It was not because they were negligent, but because more important personnel changes than Chen Ju happened one after another, which was overwhelming.

The first is the appointment of the minister, the minister of Dali Temple, and the censor of Zuodu.The former Minister of Rites, Guo Zhengyu, the Minister of War, Sun Wei, the Minister of Punishment, Xiao Daheng, the minister of Dali Temple Li Dong, and the imperial censor of Zuodu, Wen Chunquan, have become rebels. Those who have been beheaded have been exiled. Who should take over the vacant positions? ?

The remaining six ministers and cabinet ministers recommended six candidates for the first time, but the emperor couldn't get any of them after reading them.The second time the court recommended six more candidates, but the emperor still did not choose any one.

He did not say not to choose, but asked each of the twelve candidate officials to choose two positions they thought they could control, and write a work plan within three days, requiring them to outline their work arrangements, work priorities, and work methods after taking office. Explain in detail.

In addition to not hiring someone to write for you, you also can't just shout slogans and make empty heads. You must have detailed data, real examples, and meaningful words, and just talk about the most practical and concrete steps at the moment.

"All ministers, take it and read it for yourself to see what they write! The imperial court spends a sky-high salary every year, but when it comes time to use it, there is not even an official who knows what he should do!

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites focuses on the education of imperial examinations in the countryside and knows little about foreign affairs; the Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs follows the script and talks about laws and regulations, but does not mention how many files have been backlogged and has not been reviewed; the Minister of the Ministry of War talks at length about military affairs on paper, and never mentions what it is like to drink the blood of soldiers and eat empty pay. put an end to.

Allowing such officials to occupy high positions in the temple will not only continue to waste the court's salary, ruin the official atmosphere, and deceive the superiors and subordinates, but will it bring any benefits to the people's prosperity, the court's clarity, and the country's strength? "

After the emperor read the answer sheet, he immediately held an imperial meeting. He threw the answer sheet on the carpet in front of the bachelors and the six ministers, and pointed out unceremoniously that all the twelve candidates lacked a deep understanding of their jobs. Mediocre people who have neither ability nor courage are not enough to entrust important tasks.

(End of this chapter)