Daming: My boss Zhu Yuanzhang

The impeachment of Li Wei continues to rage. Li Wei himself has not responded, but others have written letters to defend him.

A few days later, Li Wei finally received the summons and followed the young eunuch into the palace.

"See Your Majesty." Li Wei bowed his hands in salute.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him and remained silent.

Li Wei waited for a moment, raised his head slightly, and met Zhu Yuanzhang's staring eyes.

Within a month, this generation of emperors seemed to have suddenly aged a lot. Although his eyes were still sharp and domineering, they were slightly cloudy, and there was still a hint of sadness that could not be concealed. His once tall and straight body also became slightly rickety.

"We heard that you didn't shed a single tear?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a hoarse voice.

Facing his question, Li Wei was speechless.

"You also called her Queen. Are you not sad at all when she passes away?"

Zhu Yuanzhang continued.

Li Wei took a long breath to relieve the depression in his heart, and then said softly: "The Queen passed away. Although I am not as heartbroken as Your Majesty and An Qing, I am still very sad, but I have my own condolences. way, I don’t want to be like those civil and military people who cry for heaven and earth.”

In fact, if he wanted to imitate others crying like this, it was not impossible. Wang Jie and the others secretly stuffed him with onions, ginger and other things at that time. These things were used to induce tears.

After all, acting also requires talent. Some people can cry if they want to, but some people really can't. And those civil and military ministers with poor acting skills all use this method.

Everyone knows this kind of thing tacitly.

But he was unwilling to do this. He felt that it was disrespectful to the deceased.

If you are really sad, express your true feelings; if you are not sad, just be respectful and silent and show respect.

It would be too ridiculous to measure filial piety and sadness by the severity of crying, or even to pay people to cry in mourning like the later generations did.

"Then how did you express your condolences? Tell us!" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in pursuit.

Li Wei knew that if he didn't tell the truth, the matter might be over.

Li Wei frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "I would like to fast and wear plain clothes for the empress to express my condolences."

"Okay, then you can fast for three years!" Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly.

"Yes!"

Li Wei was surprised when he heard it for three years, but he agreed without hesitation.

It is better not to eat meat for three years than to make him cry in mourning.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him lightly, with a sharp look in his eyes.

Three years of filial piety are only required after the death of biological parents. Li Wei does not need a son-in-law. These three years of fasting are the last chance he gives Li Wei. If Li Wei can do it, he will forgive him. If he can't, he will even cheat secretly. , then don’t blame him for being cruel!

What Gao Xin said before to persuade Li Wei was right. Zhu Yuanzhang indeed attached great importance to filial piety, especially since this was his beloved Queen Ma. As Li Wei's son-in-law, he was his half-son. He was very angry at such a performance! If it had been anyone else, he could have killed them directly!

"During this period, you don't have to worry about the affairs of the court. Just fast and pray for the queen with peace of mind."

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly.

Li Wei was slightly shocked. His slight words were tantamount to dismissing him from his post.

After a moment of silence, Li Wei felt relieved. This way, he could be at ease.

"I obey the decree!" Li Wei cupped his hands and said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and told him: "Well, step back."

"I excuse myself!" Li Wei bowed and slowly exited the hall.

After leaving Qianqing Palace and walking out of the palace gate, Li Wei took a long breath and suddenly felt much more relaxed.

Being without an official makes me feel lighter!

From that day on, Li Wei started his retirement life. Most of the time, he stayed at home, eating fast and praying with An Qing. Occasionally, he went to the college to teach, answer questions for students, and lead them to do small experiments. He lived a relaxed life. comfortable.

But the rest of the "Li Party" members were not as comfortable as he was.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang only talked privately and asked him to fast and pray for Empress Ma, on the surface he soon issued an edict to blame him and the imperial doctors at the imperial hospital for poor treatment, and dismissed him directly.

Zhao Xuan, Dai Sigong and other imperial doctors from Tai Hospital were even worse, and were directly imprisoned for interrogation.

Sun Ke, Huang Bin and other generals, as well as Zhao Ben and the civil servants who were overwhelmed by Li Wei, once again gained the upper hand, and countless followers immediately fell to them.

On the contrary, Gao Xin and others were always on tenterhooks, fearing that Li Wei would implicate all of them like Hu Weiyong did.

Zhao Ben and others certainly thought of this, so after Li Wei was deposed, they immediately launched an impeachment against the "Li Party" members headed by Gao Xin and Chen Jing. Of course, they also attacked the innocent Ru Taisu. One of the main leaders.

Suddenly, those who had followed Li Wei felt insecure and tried their best to distance themselves from him.

Of course, there are also some people such as Wu Bozong, Wang Jie, Shen Jie and others who stand firmly on his side. Some do not avoid it because of their own integrity, and some have too deep connections to escape, so they can only go to the dark side.

One after another, the impeachment memorials were handed to the emperor, scolding the "Li Party" as traitors and traitors, and wanted to drive them all away. However, after these memorials were handed over, they were like mud cows drowning in the sea, without any movement.

Zhu Yuanzhang neither eradicated the "Li Party" elements, nor did he attack Zhao Ben and others who danced happily.

Although Li Wei was dismissed, those who followed him still held important positions in the yamen he previously controlled. Jiang Shouqing was promoted to be the minister of affairs, and temporarily took charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Industry. The executive department was still run by Wang Jie and others, and the military No one can get involved in the equipment bureau.

A few days later, the minds of the ministers gradually became concerned. Because they were not sure of the holy will, those who followed the trend did not dare to submit letters easily. The turmoil caused by Li Wei's dismissal gradually subsided.

In Danyang County, Zhenjiang Prefecture, an inconspicuous study is located in a remote village. There is a plaque hanging on the study with the word "Xianlin" written on it.

On the winding and rugged road, a carriage was driving swaying. The wooden body and wheels kept making squeaking sounds as they shook, as if they would fall apart at any time.

The driver, waving his whip and shouting, controlled the carriage through the bumpy road and stopped in front of the study.

"Master, we're here!" The coachman put down his whip and turned back to the carriage.

"Ah."

There was a soft hum from the carriage, and then the curtain opened, revealing a familiar figure, it was Zhang Zongyi who had been dismissed from office!

After he opened the curtain, the coachman quickly took off the stool and placed it on one side, and then helped Zhang Zongyi get out of the carriage.

Zhang Zongyi got off the carriage, first looked around, and then set his sights on this inconspicuous study.

Then he took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and then walked in.

In the study, a dozen people dressed as Confucian scholars were sitting upright, with an incense table in front of everyone. There was an incense burner on it, and green smoke was rising continuously, exuding bursts of fragrance.

Behind the incense table are enshrined the Five Confucian Sages: Confucius, Mencius, Zeng, Yan Hui, and Zisi. The surroundings of the room are filled with bookshelves, containing all kinds of saints' classics, including many unique copies.

At this time, four people were sitting at the top, all of whom were older than Tianming. Two of them were Zhang Jingju and Zhang Ziyi who had appeared in Yangzhou.

"Feng Yi, you were too reckless about the Yangzhou incident. Not only did you lose a fellow commander, but you also alerted the enemy. I'm afraid I won't have the chance to do this again in the future!"

One of the four, an old scholar with a white beard, said to Zhang Jingju with an unhappy expression.

Zhang Jingju, known as Fengyi, had an unchanged expression and said with a soft smile: "Master Liang's lesson is that this person has too much influence on the court, so I had to take this dangerous move."

The remaining person among the four asked aloud: "Is it true that this person cannot be won over?"

"No! I have known this person before. Although he is indeed talented, he is more practical and ignorant of etiquette. He even criticizes my Confucianism. If this person is in charge of the court, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing for us! "

Zhang Fengyi categorically denied it.

When the man heard this, he couldn't help but frown, and Master Liang also frowned and said nothing.

"Haha, Master Liang doesn't need to be too worried. Although Fengyi's plan failed, fortunately, Li Wei has been dismissed now, and the threat to us is greatly reduced."

Zhang Ziyi on the side made peace.

"You did what happened to Queen Ma?" Master Liang asked.

"No!" Zhang Ziyi shook his head in denial.

Master Liang glanced at him, still a little suspicious in his heart.

At this moment, Zhang Zongyi stepped in, and everyone turned to look at him. Zhang Fengyi and the four people sitting at the top also stopped talking and focused on him.

"I have met all the masters." Zhang Zongyi first bowed to the four people above him.

After the four people nodded gently, he handed over to the other Confucian scholars and said, "I have seen you all inkstone mats."

"Brother Zhang!"

"Brother Zhang, please sit down."

Everyone returned the favor and raised their hands to invite him to take a seat.

Zhang Zongyi responded one by one, and then found an empty seat and sat down among a dozen people.

Zhang Zongyi used to be the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and held great power in the court. It is said that even if he is dismissed from office now, his status is much higher than that of ordinary scholars.

However, the position where he was seated at this time was not at the front among the crowd, let alone compared with the four people sitting at the top.

After he sat down, Master Liang smiled and said: "Zong Yi, although you have been kicked out of the court this time, don't be discouraged. I will definitely write a book to make your name famous."

"Yes, when the article is circulated, you will be a good minister who was squeezed out by the treacherous ministers. If it goes well, you will be famous in history!"

Zhang Fengyi also comforted him.

Zhang Zongyi smiled bitterly, shook his head and sighed: "Hey, I am very content to be able to save my life this time. Everything else doesn't matter. It's fine now. Without my official status, it will be easier for me to meet you."

There are rules in the Xianlin Study Room. You cannot enter the study room when you enter the court hall. Anyone who serves in the court can no longer come here and can only communicate in private and secretly. (End of chapter)