Ming Dynasty: The ghost betrays the Confucian sage, my son Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 34: Morning turmoil and court disputes

It's not yet dawn.

Ministers filed along the royal road, all going to attend the morning court.

The emperor stipulated that officials of sixth rank or above in Beijing must attend court meetings every day.

It's the cold spring season, and the cold wind in the morning is as biting as a knife.

Some old and frail ministers even faltered and shivered in the cold wind.

Before the imperial examination was held, the emperor issued edicts to recruit talents, many of whom were elderly.

For example, Qian Zai, an assistant professor at the Imperial Academy, was an old man over seventy years old. He walked tremblingly on the royal road, looked up at Fengtian Hall, sighed, and read a poem.

Four drums, dong dong, picking up clothes,
It's too late to meet at the Meridian Gate.

When will I have pastoral joy?
Sleep until the world is ripe.

He wanted to return to his hometown, although his articles were highly appreciated by the emperor.

The cold wind was biting, and his body and bones couldn't bear it.

But he didn't know that the imperial guard standing guard next to him could hear clearly a poem he wrote out of emotion.

Qian Zai quickened his pace and entered Fengtian Hall, feeling warmer immediately.

Most of the ministers are not qualified to enter the Fengtian Palace and can only stand outside. Some people will never even have the opportunity to enter the Fengtian Palace in their lifetime.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Not long after, the clear voice of Wang Jinghong, the chief eunuch, sounded, and the emperor arrived.

"Long live my emperor."

After attending the court meeting, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair, glanced over it, and smiled faintly: "We just heard a poem that really touched me. I think all of you dear friends will feel the same way."

After that, he read the poem that Qian Zai had just read while walking on the royal road.

Qian Zai went numb on the spot. How come the news reached the emperor so quickly?

The other ministers also held their breath for a moment.

Why, Your Majesty is causing trouble again.

……

"Who wrote this poem?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked after reading it.

Qian Zai, who was standing in the team, stood up quickly and knelt down: "I know that I am guilty, Qian Zai, I... I have no intention, I have no intention."

"Hmph, Qian Zai."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, his eyes like daggers, "As the emperor, we still have to watch the four clocks of the day, manage the government under the stars, hold candles late at night to review memorials, have no time to eat day and night, and have no time to sleep, but we must enjoy it like sugar. Why is this?"

"I come to court every day, without interruption. It's just...just..." Qian Zai panicked.

"Okay, we don't think it's too late for you." Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, "How about changing the word "dislike" to the word "you"? It's too late to meet you at Meridian Gate."

"Your Majesty... OK..." Qian Zai nodded.

"We miss you because you are old, so we will let you go and sleep soundly." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Qian Zai was confused. He did not expect that the emperor not only did not punish him, but also let him return to his hometown.

The other ministers were also dumbfounded.

"I thank the Emperor for your kindness." Qian Zai bowed three times.

Then, he stood up and exited the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, thinking that he should still have sons and grandsons at home. At this age, it was time to go back and play with his grandsons.

He just thought of Fourth Master Zhu and compared his feelings with others, so he gave Qian Zai and left.

"Okay, something needs to happen." He recovered his mind.

In the main hall, the courtiers began to report matters one after another. The first to come forward was the Prime Minister of Zhongshu Province, Li Shanchang.

His voice was loud and somewhat serious: "Your Majesty, a major case occurred in the capital the day before yesterday that shocked the government and the public. Fierce fighting broke out between gangs, resulting in more than a hundred casualties. The Governor of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, Qianshi Zhu Liangzu led the army to suppress it, but those lawless elements dared to resist openly and even launched an attack on the army, causing Zhu Xian, the commander of the pro-army army, to lose a hand."

When Li Shanchang said this, his eyes were blazing with anger: "This is simply unreasonable! They are so arrogant under the emperor's feet. They are clearly trying to rebel. I request an order to immediately dispatch a large army to completely annihilate those daring and unruly people. , as a warning to others!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting on the dragon throne, listened to Li Shanchang's report. His eyes became cold, but his face did not show any expression.

He secretly speculated in his heart that Li Shanchang would be the first to stand up and talk about this matter. Either he had an unknown collusion with the dark forces in the capital, or he was protecting someone.

Otherwise, why would he be so actively involved?
At this moment, Yang Xian, the Zuocheng of the Zhongshu Province, also stood up. He respectfully reported to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I have my roots and I want to take part. I want to take part in the governor's affairs with Zhu Liangzu."

As the governor of the Metropolitan Governor's Office, he privately mobilized troops to suppress gang fighting among the people. This was obviously an act beyond his authority and violated a taboo in the military.

Fights between gangs are under the jurisdiction and handling of Yingtian Mansion's Yamen and Jinyiwei. When will the Governor's Office need to intervene in these trivial matters? "

Li Shanchang seemed to have expected that Yang Xian would stand up and snorted coldly, with great momentum. He was the leader of the prime minister, so his words were full of confidence and determination.

"Mr. Yang, you keep saying that Zhu Liangzu mobilized troops privately, do you have any evidence? It should be noted that the capital is an important place in the country, and any disturbance may cause an uproar. As the governor of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, Zhu Liangzu has the responsibility to maintain the security and stability of the capital. He was fulfilling his duty by sending troops to suppress gang fighting."

Yang Xian was not afraid at all when faced with Li Shanchang's questioning. He sneered and responded calmly: "The Prime Minister's words are wrong. Zhu Liangzu's duty is to guard the capital and resist foreign enemies, not to interfere in civil affairs. Gang fights are handled by Ying Tianfu and Jinyiwei. He acted beyond his authority and not only violated the imperial court The law also disrupted the order of the capital. As for the evidence..."

Yang Xian paused for a moment and glanced sharply at the ministers in the court, "Your Majesty can order your ministers to investigate this matter thoroughly, and the truth will naturally come to light."

Li Shanchang couldn't help frowning when he heard this.

He didn't expect Yang Xian to be so aggressive and even proposed to investigate the matter thoroughly. He knew that if a thorough investigation was carried out, more things would probably be involved.

"Mr. Yang keeps saying that it's for the sake of imperial law and order in the capital, but the truth is that I heard that you have an unclear relationship with those gang leaders." Li Shanchang sneered, "Why are you standing up to read Zhu Liangzu's book at this time? Is it justice or for personal gain? Could it be that you want to take this opportunity to attack your colleagues?"

When Yang Xian heard Li Shanchang's accusation, his face suddenly became ugly, and he guessed that Li Shanchang should have checked him.

He did not lose his sense of proportion and responded tit for tat: "What Prime Minister Li said is so ridiculous! I have never had any contact with those gang leaders, let alone any unclear relationship.

I stood up to read Zhu Liangzu's book entirely out of justice and had absolutely no selfish interests at all. But Prime Minister, as the Prime Minister of Zhongshu Province, you colluded with the secret forces in the capital in an attempt to deceive Shengting and disrupt the imperial court. This is the real crime! "

The two of them were fighting back and forth, their words becoming more and more intense, and the atmosphere becoming more and more tense.

"Okay!" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was cold, "Leave this matter to Jin Yiwei to investigate."

Panic flashed in Li Shanchang's eyes.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the emperor has almost always approved his memorials.

This time, it turned out to be no.

(End of this chapter)