Chapter 047 Using the topic to get angry
On the fourth day after the explosion...
Chen Cao originally wanted to leave the next day. Fusi in Beizhen was short of manpower, but he was temporarily captured and took a dozen of his men to participate in the rescue.
The Palace of Qianqing collapsed, the beams of the Hall of Supreme Harmony also fell, and basically all the three main halls of the Forbidden City were damaged. Even Zhu Youxiao could only listen to politics in front of the attic of Fengtianmen.
Chen Operation, as a senior rescue official, also participated in this report.
"Cabinet, what are the civilian casualties this time? What are the losses?" Zhu Youxiao spoke, obviously he had not recovered from the explosion a few days ago.
Ye Xianggao personally presided over the rescue, and then looked at the Yamen of the Ministry of War.
Huang Kezan walked out of the queue and handed over his hands: "Your Majesty, the explosion in Wanggong Factory has razed everything within four miles to the ground. There are 27,641 dead and 203,233 injured. Seventeen people; 4,610 people are missing; countless people are buried; in addition, the family members of two colleagues, He Qianshu and Pan Yunyi, the censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, are all buried, and there is little hope of survival; the minister has ordered five The city's soldiers and horses went to various places for rescue, and notified the Fifth Army Commander's Office that Duke Yingying, Duke Cheng Guo, and Duke Bao had already led all the troops in the Beijing camp to rescue."
Ye Xianggao raised his hand towards Zhu Youxiao: "Your Majesty, I have ordered the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry to survey the site. It will take at least one to two years for the people's livelihood to be restored."
"I ask you, why did such a big thing happen to Wang Gongchang? Do you know that I barely escaped death?" Zhu Youxiao was angry.
Wei Zhongxian stood up and came out of the case and shouted: "Where is Zhong Yuzheng, Minister of the Ministry of Industry?"
"I'm here..." Zhong Yu was walking out of the queue and immediately knelt down, with cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Wei Zhongxian added: "Did you know about the explosion in Wang Gong Factory?"
"I know this." Zhong Yu was bowing down and said, "Your Majesty, I have neglected my duty and am guilty..."
"Are you guilty?" Zhu Youxiao's eyes immediately turned red: "Are you guilty? What crime am I guilty of? The Metropolitan Procuratorate and others wrote a letter saying that I have lost my heavenly morality and asked me to issue a criminal edict. I...I... ."
Zhu Youxiao was so angry that he couldn't even speak. Wei Zhongxian quickly turned to the table and stroked Zhu Youxiao's back, and then ordered someone to bring tea.
"Sun Wei, the censor of Zuodu of the Imperial Procuratorate, has something to report." Sun Wei walked out of the queue and said, "Your Majesty, there is no way to investigate this explosion. The Firearms Bureau personnel in Wang Gong's factory have all been reduced to meat. This explosion, This is a natural disaster, but God warned me about the Ming Dynasty. I believe that Your Majesty should issue an edict to blame himself. The seriousness of this matter has reached an unimaginable level."
"You..." Zhu Youxiao was choked by Sun Wei and couldn't say anything.
At this time, Li Yangchong, the imperial censor of the capital, also stood up and echoed: "I agree, now there are disasters in various places in our Ming Dynasty, especially in Shaanxi and Shandong. Such natural disasters are a warning to our emperor and ministers in the Ming Dynasty. I ask your majesty to set an example." ..."
"Your Majesty, please lead by example..."
The two big bosses of the Metropolitan Procuratorate spoke out, and the remaining two hundred or so censors all echoed. Not only that, but many officials from the six ministries also came out to echo.
Chen Cao immediately understood how much the Ming Dynasty emperors hated Yanguan Yushi. No wonder Emperor Wanli did not go to court for decades.
"You...you..." Zhu Youxiao was so young that he was so angry that he couldn't even say anything and actually cried.
Wei Zhongxian hurriedly beat his chest and stroked his back, and then whispered in Zhu Youxiao's ear, and Zhu Youxiao nodded to himself.
Wei Zhongxian stood up again and shouted: "You guys have no respect for the emperor. Look how angry you are making the emperor."
When Zhao Nanxing saw that the emperor was crying, he also cried bitterly and knelt down, saying that he was "guilty." At this time, everyone who was kneeling began to cry. Chen Cao felt that these people seemed to be mourning, so he stepped aside and covered his ears.
When he turned around, he saw that Tian Ergen had already covered his ears and was standing behind him. The two of them looked at each other with a proud smile.
"That's enough..." Zhu Youxiao slapped the case hard: "Isn't it an edict to sin against oneself? My Majesty, I am issuing an edict to sin against oneself."
"I am guilty..."
Even the emperor said that he was guilty, how could he be a minister and keep himself safe?
Zhu Youxiao shed tears: "Daban, you said..."
Wei Zhongxian bowed and said loudly: "Where are the Jin Yiwei?"
"Your Majesty Xu Xianchun is here..."
"How did Wang Gong Factory explode?" Wei Zhongxian asked again.
Xu Xianchun knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, after careful investigation by our company, the explosion point of Wang Gong Factory was in the center of the gunpowder warehouse, and there are 2.4 million kilograms of gunpowder in the stockpile."
Oh My God...
The officials outside Fengtian Gate heard it very clearly, and it was no wonder that Chen Cao had the amount of gunpowder that could level a four-mile radius.
Xu Xianchun continued: "After investigation, it was found that there were fourteen firearms bureau officials and sixty-seven craftsmen on duty at the gunpowder depot that night, as well as a general flag headquarters guarding the soldiers. There were also many military and horse division stations nearby. I think the safety of the surroundings should be ensured. No worries."
Wei Zhongxian nodded, waved his hand for Xu Xianchun to step back, and then said loudly: "Where is the Qintian Prison?"
"Huang Shaoming, the Prime Minister of Heaven, is here..."
"How was the weather last night?"
Huang Shaoming was about to talk when Gao Panlong next to him turned to glare at him. Chen Cao saw this detail. Huang Shaoming thought about it and said: "The wind was high last night and the moon was full, and because it was the beginning of summer, , it may be easy for water to escape."
"Which sect is this Huang Shaoming from?" Chen Cao lowered his head and asked Tian Ergen. He did not want to be caught by the traveling censor like last time.
Tian Ergen said softly: "Donglin Party."
No wonder...
"Wang Wenyan, secretary of the cabinet, has something to report." A middle-aged green-robed official came out to salute.
"speak..."
"Yesterday, I received a letter from an anonymous minister to the cabinet. The letter stated that the Ambassador of the Firearms Bureau of the Ministry of Industry, Zhao Zai, had evidence of corruption and perversion of the law." Wang Wenyan took out the letter from his arms and handed it to a young eunuch.
"Nonsense," Ye Xianggao became anxious immediately: "Wang Wenyan, when no one reports, when something big happens, someone will report. What's more, who can hand over the report letter to you? Or report someone from the eighth grade? Firearms Bureau Ambassador?”
Zhao Nanxing noticed that Ye Xianggao was speaking in a hurry, so he immediately understood and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I can't believe what Wang Wenyan said. He is the secretary of the cabinet. Who would give him a report letter? This letter It’s not true.”
Gao Panlong also saluted and agreed, and now a large group of Donglin Party members joined in.
Wei Zhongxian retreated to Zhu Youxiao and said: "Your Majesty, you saw it, these Donglin Party members have the final say in everything in the court. Today they just bullied the Emperor, but what else might happen someday?" Your Majesty must think about what happened to Emperor Shenzong."
Zhu Youxiao was excited. Wei Zhongxian's words stimulated him. The reason why Emperor Wanli did not go to court was because he was forced by the party struggle. The current situation is just like what his grandfather was like at that time, so he made up his mind to suppress these things. people.
"Dear ministers and ministers, I am deeply saddened by what has happened. I have sent an edict to the cabinet. After the edict was drafted by the cabinet and sealed by the Secretary of Rites and Supervisors, it was made known to the world through the Secretary of General Affairs."
The emperor had admitted his mistake, and the ministers could not hold on to it, so another large group of people said in unison, "I am guilty..."
This is a formality and a rule
But Zhu Youxiao was really upset today. After all the ministers said "guilty", he said with some enthusiasm: "I am guilty, but I can't blame the natural disaster. There is a reason;"
The ministers were shocked and didn't know what the little emperor wanted to do, so they heard Zhu Youxiao continue to say: "The decree is that the ambassador of the Firearms Bureau of the Ministry of Industry, Zhao Duan, has an unshirkable responsibility. Jin Yiwei will arrest him and imprison him; Shangshu Zhong Yuzheng will supervise him. If you don't do it well, I will immediately remove you from the post of Minister of the Ministry of Industry. Zhong Aiqing, you are old too, go home and take care of yourself."
"Your Majesty, you must not..." Zhao Nanxing stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhong has no direct fault in this matter. Your Majesty cannot remove him from his official position. Doing so will attract infamy..."
"Your Majesty, please think twice..." nearly a hundred people said in unison.
"You..." Zhu Youxiao was angry again: "I am the emperor of tomorrow. I can't even appoint or remove personal affairs as the emperor. So, I will let you be the emperor."
"Your Majesty, please think twice..."
Zhu Youxiao thought that imitating Emperor Wuzong's tactics would work, but he didn't know if there were any upright and famous officials in the dynasty like Li Dongyang and Xie Qian.
Therefore, as soon as these words came out, Yang Lian, the imperial envoy of Zuo Qiandu, came forward and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the sage once said that a monarch should be careful about his body and his nature. Your Majesty is a descendant of Emperor Shenzong. Don't waste Emperor Shenzong's power. wise."
"Asshole..." Wei Zhongxian yelled, "You call yourself a minister in vain. Is this what you should do as a minister by forcing your lord like this?"
"Wei Zhongxian, this is the meeting place of the imperial court. All the people present are the pillars of the Ming Dynasty. How can you interrupt? You are an eunuch. Others are afraid of you. I, Yang Lian, am not afraid. Emperor Taizu, Tiepai Emperor, has clearly ordered eunuchs not to In politics, why, do you want to imitate Wang Zhen, Liu Jin and other castrated dogs who caused trouble?"
Zuo Guangdou took the opportunity to also interject: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Yang said is true. We have read poetry and books, but we are insulted by such eunuchs. If your Majesty indulges them, it will be trampling on the way of saints. I ask your Majesty to punish you severely. Wei Wei..."
"Your Majesty, please punish Wei Eunuch severely..." hundreds of people said in unison.
"You..." Wei Zhongxian was so scolded by Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou that he could not speak. Then he turned around and knelt down towards Zhu Youxiao and cried: "Your Majesty, I... I have not interfered in the government affairs." Ah, the old slave only shed tears when he saw the emperor being bullied by them, so he couldn't bear to stand up for the emperor... The old slave is the emperor's domestic slave. As a domestic slave, when we see the master being humiliated, how can we, the domestic slaves, Can you survive?"
Wei Zhongxian stood up as he spoke, turned around and stared at Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou fiercely: "You two old thieves, our family has never provoked you, but you have spoken out and framed our family. Our family has done this for this." I am innocent and will fight with you..."
As soon as Wei Zhongxian finished speaking, he lifted up the skirt of his robe and went straight towards the kneeling Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou. His momentum was like a rainbow, and within a moment the three of them were fighting together.
"Brother Chen, can you help me?" Tian Ergen said and was about to take action.
Chen Cao stopped him and said, "You bastard, Mr. Xu hasn't moved yet. Are you going to move? Eunuch Wei just said that he is your Majesty's domestic slave, and his current status is to protect the master. If our Jin Yiwei can help, Doesn’t this establish the evidence that Eunuch Wei and the factory guards colluded?”
Tian Ergen suddenly realized: "It makes sense, it makes sense... Brother Chen is really here, I feel more relieved."
Therefore, a strange scene appeared in front of Fengtian Gate. All the officials and the Han generals on duty did not move. Even Zhu Youxiao sat behind the desk and said nothing, and then watched the three people's hand-to-hand combat together.
Wei Zhongxian was over fifty, so he was no match for Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou. From time to time, the two pushed Wei Zhongxian to the ground and hammered Wei Zhongxian with their hands and feet.
The old guy didn't show any weakness. Although he was pushed to the ground by the two men, he still showed off the palm prints of the Supervisor of Ceremonies and spun around on the spot with his hands and feet, making it impossible for the two to get close.
Seeing that the stalemate was going down, Ye Xianggao couldn't help it anymore and said: "You guys pull them away quickly, so that they can show their dignity in front of His Majesty?"
Zhu Youxiao also said: "General Han, pull them away."
Xu Xianchun stood closest and hurriedly stepped forward to help Wei Zhongxian up.
Gu Bingqian, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, came out and said: "Master Yang, Master Zuo, and Eunuch Wei are also speaking for the Holy Sage. Why are they meddling in the affairs of the state? How can you be worthy of the books of sages you read in the way you are doing today?"
Cui Chengxiu, the supervisory censor of Guangdong Province, also stood up and echoed: "Fairness is fair and private, and all the subordinates think that the two adults' actions are inappropriate."
Now it has become a war of words between the Eunuch Party and the Donglin Party. It is very lively when you come and I go.
Chen Cao stayed out of the matter, just watching the excitement, but Tian Ergen came over and said, "Let's go together tonight to vent our anger on the governor. The governor will definitely appreciate it, do you believe it or not?"
Chen Cao also felt that Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian were too bullying, so he nodded: "I do have some plans. There will be a good show tonight."
Tian Ergeng and Chen Cao both showed evil smiles on their faces.
"That's enough..." Zhu Youxiao slapped the case angrily: "A group of people are fooling around... According to the decree, Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou will be punished for three months, and Wei Zhongxian will be punished for half a year;"
Then he said in a cold voice: "Just as I said, remove Zhong Yu from the post of Minister of the Ministry of Industry. The vacant position, the cabinet, you will vote for who will fill the vacancy after you vote, and get the report back to me. Retreat. towards."
...
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high, killing people...
the next day...
The location of the small court meeting was changed to the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the imperial court listened directly to the government. The number of people was much smaller than before.
"Your Majesty, I want to participate in the impeachment of Dongchang and Jinyiwei."
"Your Majesty, I also want to participate in the impeachment of factory guards."
Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou came out together, both looking indignant, as if something big had happened.
Yes, both of them have dark circles. Zhu Youxiao was very angry yesterday. If it weren't for the comfort from wet nurse Hakka last night, he probably wouldn't be able to calm down today: "My dears, what's wrong with you?"
"Your Majesty, at around midnight last night, a large number of people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei broke into my home and set fire to some of my houses. If the fire had not been put out in time, I might not have been able to see your Majesty... ." Yang Lian said and knelt down in tears.
Zuo Guangdou also knelt down and told the same story as Yang Lian: "Your Majesty, Wei Zhongxian hates what happened yesterday and is deliberately seeking revenge..."
Zhu Youxiao turned his eyes and stared at Wu Chun, the eunuch on duty: "Go and call Wei Zhongxian and ask me face to face if this is the case?"
"This slave obeys the order..."
After Wu Chun left, Zhu Youxiao stared at the square and said, "Where are the people from Beizhen Fusi?"
Xu Xianchun touched Tian Ergen. Tian Ergen trotted for a while and ran to the imperial gate to salute: "The last general, Tian Ergen, the envoy of Fusi Town in the North Town, has met the Holy Majesty."
"Let me ask you, did your Jin Yiwei break into the homes of two adults last night and burn down their houses?"
Tian Ergeng quickly knelt down and said: "Your Majesty clearly knows that I will be wronged..."
"Unjustly accused? Don't talk nonsense," Yang Lian scolded angrily: "It was you and that person last night? Just that..."
Yang Lian was so confused that he even forgot his name. Zuo Guangdou reminded him: "Chen Cao."
"Oh yes...that's Chen Cao," Yang Lian said loudly: "You and Chen Cao led people to break into my home and Master Zuo's and set fire to it. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were watching."
Tian Ergen looked aggrieved and said: "Your Majesty, it is clear that you are really unjust..."
"Come to think of it..." Zhu Youxiao spoke.
Tian Ergen said with a mournful face: "After going to court yesterday, Tiqi from Beizhili reported that the demons of the White Lotus Sect in Shandong were holding a secret meeting in the Xiangtang of the capital. The general notified Sun Yunhe, the master of the Thousand Households in Dongchang, and asked him to stay in the south. The experienced commander of Nanzhen Fusi in Zhili went to arrest Chen Cao and his master Chen Cao. Who knew that those monsters were quite capable. Not only did they escape, but they also injured many of the factory guards. So we hunted them down, but we didn’t know that they were very capable. We happened to go to the homes of Master Yang and Master Zuo. Master Chen and I had no choice but to pursue them separately. The fire was really not set by us, but by the demons from the White Lotus Sect. The purpose was to stop our progress. If your majesty doesn’t believe it, you can ask two questions. Sir, will we help you put out the fire when we arrive?"
It was fine if Tian Ergen didn't mention it, but when he mentioned putting out fires, Yang Lian became even more angry: "You have the nerve to say that all the grown men putting out fires can't even be members of the Army and Horses Department. My house has been burned down. You brought it here on purpose."
Tian Ergeng felt aggrieved again and said: "Your Majesty, I am going to chase down the demons of the White Lotus Sect and put out the fire. This is indeed beyond my ability. Please tell me clearly."
Zuo Guangdou interjected: "You have made it clear that you did it on purpose. A group of people are so slow to get a bottle of water... their movements are not even as good as eunuchs."
Coincidentally, Wei Zhongxian arrived just after Zuo Guangdou finished speaking, but he only heard the second half of the sentence, and he immediately became anxious: "What's wrong with our eunuch? Eunuchs are also children of parents, and you are an old man here again." If you insult our family, I will fight you..."
Wei Zhongxian wanted to make a move but was stopped by Zhu Youxiao. Wu Chun also had an idea and called Chen Cao together. When Yang Lian saw Chen Cao, he said: "Chen Cao, it's in vain that you read the sages' books, but you didn't I don’t know how to behave, so why did I recruit you? Are you deliberately retaliating against me just because I’m not an eunuch?”
Chen Cao widened his eyes and shook his hands tightly: "No, no, Master Yang, you misunderstood..."
"Chen Cao," Zhu Youxiao said, "tell me carefully what happened last night."
Chen Cao saluted Zhu Youxiao: "Your Majesty, it was reported last night that there was a secret meeting of demons from the White Lotus Sect. Beizhen Fusi went to arrest him and notified Dongchang. Tianzhenfu invited the last general to join him. Who knew the thief had escaped? We ran to Mr. Yang’s house and set fire to Mr. Yang’s house to stop us. Your Majesty, although the general is a warrior, he also knows the teachings of the saints. Although the princes in the court particularly look down on our factory guards, I cannot ignore death. , so Hotan Zhenfu and Sun Qianhu came to help them put out the fire."
Wei Zhongxian bowed to Zhu Youxiao: "The old slave was on duty in the East Factory after getting off duty yesterday. However, a guard in Jinyi came to report that there was a demon from the White Lotus Sect, so he sent Sun Yunhe to assist. Little did he know that the demon ignited the two adults' houses."
Zuo Guangdou was not happy with the fight yesterday, and his house was burned down again in the evening. Everyone knew that it was intentional. Although their words were now well-proven, they could not hide it from the civil servants: "Eunuch, I know that you are deliberately retaliating. What you did is But he is still a man? Do you know that your Majesty is a sage king today, not a foolish king?" Zuo Guangdou said and handed over to Zhu Youxiao: "Your Majesty, I ask your Majesty to make the decision."
"Your Majesty, please make the decision." Yang Lian also saluted: "Master Zuo, be careful, how can that eunuch be considered a man?"
"You...our family will fight with you..."
Eunuchs are most afraid of being exposed, especially the issue of whether a man is a man or not. This is a thorn in his heart that no one can explain. Wei Zhongxian was so irritated by the two people that he immediately became furious. He lifted up the hem of his robe and skirt again and waved his fist at Hit the nearest Zuo Guangdou.
Zuo Guangdou suffered a small loss yesterday, but he learned a lesson today. When he saw Wei Zhongxian making a move, he took the initiative to fight him with his fist. As he passed by Chen Cao, Chen Cao just stretched his right foot slightly, and Zuo Guangdou came running. Dou then flew out and passed Wei Zhongxian.
Chen Cao's movement was so slight that no one could see it. Zuo Guangdou, who had thrown a shit, stood up, pointed at the people on Chen Cao's side and cursed: "Which one of you is the one who tripped me up? Is there still moral justice in the world?"
Many civil servants couldn't help laughing. Wei Zhongxian lost a lot of anger when he saw this. He stared at Chen Cao and nodded with satisfaction, then pretended to be angry and complained to Zhu Youxiao.
"Okay..." Zhu Youxiao interrupted Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian: "You are all members of the imperial court, my humerus, why do you have these little conflicts when you have nothing to do? Have you forgotten the principle of unity between king and minister? It is hereby decree that you, Dongchang and Jinyiwei, will pay for the losses suffered by these two adults this time, and your houses must be repaired."
Wei Zhongxian and Xu Xianchun saluted together: "Old slave (minister)... received the order..."
"Hmph..." Zuo Guangdou stared at Chen Cao and walked over, feeling very unhappy.
...
"Brother Chen, the Governor is very satisfied with our performance." Outside Zhengyang Gate, Tian Ergen was seeing Chen Cao off: "Brother, I told the Governor that it was all your fault. The Governor said that he would appoint him later. You sent the documents from the commander of Nanzhen Fusi to Jinling, congratulations, brother."
"Hey," Chen Cao waved his hand: "Brother, you are welcome. When I return to Nanjing, I will send you some good things. If anything happens in the capital, please let me know in time."
"That's for sure. Brother, please go ahead..."
...
Chen Cao did not return to Nanjing until May 20th. As soon as he arrived at Longjiang Ferry, Zhao Xin was waiting at the ferry. When he saw Chen Cao, he said urgently: "Sir, something is wrong..."
Chen Cao frowned: "What's the matter?"
"Qi Boyu was afraid that he knew about the theft of the nautical charts. The day before yesterday, he took a group of military officials to the Longjiang Shipyard to see our shipbuilding plans, and then left angrily. Also," Zhao Xin said nervously Staring at Chen Cao, he whispered: "Zhang Yanzong may have clarified himself to Qi Boyu about the Tianqiao Storytelling matter. According to the detective report, Qi Boyu was very angry in private and feared that something might happen."
"Let's talk about it when we get back..."
