Chapter 114 Game of Thrones
"Don't you think it's not good for these people to make stable money? If I insist on taking this chance to argue with you, are you looking for trouble?" After listening to Zhao Xin's report, Chen Cao shook his head helplessly: "Now that Wei Zhongxian is in power, The Donglin Party is no longer as cheap as it used to be, so just keep Liu Kongzhao under surveillance. Let’s go to Donglin Academy later to find Qian Qianyi, the big boss of the Donglin Party.”
Zhao Xin handed over his hand: "Uncle, those few princes are not good, especially Uncle Fuyang, Uncle Chengyi, Marquis Xuande, Marquis Xiongwu, and Marquis Songning. These people are more or less serving in the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army. If we want to attack them, we have to get the approval from the capital."
Chen Cao frowned, then relaxed: "Don't be afraid, don't forget that Duke Guo is the commander-in-chief of the left rear army. We have plenty of opportunities."
...
"Sir, Uncle Dingwu is here."
The housekeeper stood sideways outside the study and said softly.
Qian Qianyi was receiving a guest at the moment, but this guest was a herdsman on the Qinhuai River.
Chen Cao and Zhao Xin stood by the flower pond in the backyard of Donglin Academy. Looking at the scenery, Chen Cao couldn't help but sigh: "It's really good. If it were me, the water would be too cold."
"Uncle, you have said several times since you came in that the water was too cold, but did you catch a cold last night?" Zhao Xin looked at it curiously.
Chen Cao shook his head: "Confucianism often talks about being loyal to the king and serving the country. In our Ming Dynasty official circles, there is also a saying that 'the king dies in the country'. Zhao Xin, you said that the king dies in the country. What should ministers do?"
Zhao Xin rolled his eyes and said: "That's easy, just follow the sacrifice."
Chen Cao looked at him with an evil smile: "They are all dead, what will happen to Sheji?"
"Yes..." Zhao Xin suddenly realized, and then seemed to remember something again: "No, Uncle, do you remember that many upright ministers died as martyrs?"
"Really?" Chen Cao turned to look at the rockery in the pool, and then glanced sideways and saw Qian Qianyi walking towards him: "Then guess, this guy is an upright minister?"
"Hey, Uncle Dingwu's visit to the humble abode really makes the humble abode shine." Before Qian Qianyi could stand still, he raised his hands and saluted: "Uncle Dingwu, please take a seat in the lobby quickly. I have already ordered someone to sit down." Tea is waiting for you."
Zhao Xin was about to interrupt, but Chen Cao stopped him with his hand. He didn't care too much about etiquette, so he smiled and said, "Mr. Mu Zhai, please lead the way."
"please..."
After sitting down in the lobby, Chen Cao took the lead and said with a smile: "It really is a winding path leading to a quiet place. No wonder Hou Ning Hou always likes to come here to drink tea."
Qian Qianyi was stunned for a moment, then smiled without trace: "Uncle Dingwu is joking, Shouning Hou's lineage is not what it used to be. For this reason, I can only improve my knowledge. I come here to discuss it over tea." Classic."
"Oh," Chen Cao put down the tea cup and smiled: "Hiss... Before I was ennobled, I was also a well-known person in the Ming Dynasty. I also went to Beijing to perform in front of the emperor. I wonder if I can discuss it with Mr. Mu Zhai today. After this, can you sort out Ben Bo’s literary bottleneck?”
Qian Qianyi smiled and said: "Uncle Dingwu is joking. I have also read Cai Gen Tan. To use the words summarized by Jinling scholars, it is 'every sentence is a pearl'. I don't dare to compare with Uncle Dingwu's knowledge." Comparable."
"Mr. Mu Zhai means that his knowledge is not as good as mine?" Chen Cao did not give him a chance to refute, so he said angrily: "This also corresponds to the rumors that Mr. Mu Zhai is not suitable to be the teacher of Donglin Academy. Slightly..."
A common problem among scholars is that they can't stand stimulation, and Qian Qianyi was just like that. When Chen Cao was so irritated, he immediately said: "Don't trust the words of the market. Since Uncle Dingwu is determined, let's ask Uncle Dingwu to ask."
"Today we are going to talk about the times," Chen Cao said first: "Mr. Mu Zhai, what do you think the current situation is like in the dynasty?"
Qian Qianyi's eyelids twitched, and then he calmed down and said: "I have been back home for a long time, and I have no longer cared about the affairs of the government. What's more, Emperor Taizu has stipulated that you are not allowed to discuss the affairs of the government arbitrarily."
"Mr. Muzhai, have you become confused by staying in the academy?" Chen Cao said with a smile: "It has only been two years since Mr. Muzhai took leave and returned home. His identity is also Zhongyun of Youchunfang. You are an official and I am a lord. We can talk to the court casually. Besides, Well, Emperor Taizu's rule is that 'anyone can say anything, only scholars can't say it'. Those are all students. If you look carefully, this situation often occurs in Donglin Academy. What was discussed? Everything within our Southern Division is clearly recorded."
Qian Qianyi is really an old fox. He was not afraid of being threatened by Chen Cao. He also smiled and said: "Isn't Uncle Dingwu going to discuss the situation of the court? Then I will have a brief chat with Uncle Dingwu."
"Okay," Chen Cao clapped his hands and said seriously: "I wonder what Mr. Mu Zhai thinks of the fall of Guangning?"
Qian Qianyi frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "The Tatars are powerful, and various Mongolian tribes are relying on them one after another. Our government has already lost its support outside the customs. There are still problems of refugees and refugee rebellions in the customs, and there are still disasters in some states and counties. The imperial court We have no money, so it’s understandable that we’ll lose this battle.”
"No..." Chen Cao said with a serious expression: "The main reason for Guangning's fall was the defeat of Saarhu."
Qian Qianyi looked at Chen Cao meaningfully: "Uncle Dingwu must remember not to criticize the king."
"Mr. Mu Zhai is overthinking," Chen Cao laughed: "The defeat in the Battle of Sarhu was caused by the commanders and had nothing to do with Emperor Shenzong. Emperor Shenzong only made decisions."
Qian Qianyi frowned: "The chief minister of the cabinet at that time was Fang Congzhe."
Chen Cao also wanted to get him to say this, so he said: "Forty-seven years of Wanli, that year was also the last year that Fang Congzhe, the leader of the Zhejiang Party, served as the first assistant." Chen Cao said, leaning down and looking up with an evil smile. Qian Qianyi: "Liu Yishen became the second assistant in forty-eight years, and then after the death of Emperor Shenzong, a group of you Donglin Party members broke into the palace and snatched away the current majesty from Li Xuanshi;
The leader is Liu Yishui, but I heard that the ones who came up with the idea were Zuo Guangdou and Mr. Mu Zhai, the leader of Donglin..."
Qian Qianyi's emotions were obviously fluctuating, but he did not dare to show it, so he smiled slightly to relieve his embarrassment: "The sage taught us scholars to do things rationally and not to do anything against our will."
"Oh..." Chen Cao suddenly realized: "It makes sense, it makes sense. What Mr. Mu Zhai said made me think. Then I remembered that I am also a scholar."
Qian Qianyi raised his head and jumped. Sure enough, as he thought, Chen Cao used his strength again: "After Liu Yishen became the chief minister of the cabinet, the first thing he did was to increase the Liao salary... Then, what he got was Taxes have increased on the people, and Shaanxi has the heaviest taxes. The three taxes added together can directly destroy an ordinary family's family;
Uncle Ben vaguely remembered that in order to reduce the burden on the people, Fang Congzhe wrote to Emperor Shenzong to increase taxes on merchants. However, as soon as the proposal was exported, it was blocked by the Donglin Party members headed by Mr. Mu Zhai. Liu Yishui He even beats his chest and stamps his feet, saying that he cannot compete with the people for profit, hey..."
Chen Cao glanced sideways at Qian Qianyi as he spoke: "There are still many involvements in the Zhejiang fraud case. I heard that all the officials in the provincial examination took money from those wealthy businessmen."
"Nonsense," Qian Qianyi couldn't bear it anymore and said angrily: "How can the fraud in Zhejiang be compared with Cheng Minzheng? Besides, the court has known about this matter for a long time. As the examiner, I can't take away the responsibility, but I am also innocent of all my wealth."
"Mr. Mu Zhai, please don't be angry..." Chen Cao smiled and reassured: "I didn't say that you were involved in corruption, sir, I just mentioned it in passing;
Based on what Benbo said, the civil unrest in Shaanxi and Shanxi is ultimately caused by the three wages, and no one can shirk this matter with any reason. "
"Those in power are not omnipotent," Qian Qianyi shook his head: "The national treasury has no money."
"No," Chen Cao also shook his head: "The civil riots in Zhejiang, Jin Yiwei's investigation clearly knew that the Hangzhou Commercial Bank of the Ministry of Household Affairs Zhang Wuxu caused the civil riots for their own interests. Mr. Mu Zhai, do you know that this uncle How much money was taken from them and turned over to the treasury?"
Qian Qianyi didn't say anything, so Chen Cao took the initiative to mention: "I'm not bragging to you, the cash alone is ten million taels." After saying that, Chen Cao leaned over again and squinted his left eye and whispered: "You know Zhejiang How much money did the officials give to Uncle Ben in order to keep their positions and lives?"
Chen Cao stretched out his right hand and gestured with five fingers: "A total of fifty million taels..."
Qian Qianyi's body moved slightly. Although he knew that the Zhejiang officialdom had indeed sent money, he did not know the specific amount. At this moment, hearing such secrets from Chen Cao, he vaguely felt that something was wrong.
really...
Chen Cao asked Xin Zhao to bring the envelope as he said it. It was not filled with banknotes, but evidence: "Mr. Mu Zhai, this pile of good stuff is worth more than the banknotes. Take a look first..."
After saying that, he handed the envelope to him, and while he was flipping through it, Chen Cao said again: "The imperial court asked you to compile the "Records of Shenzong" because of your literary attainments, but you have always refused to stay in Nanjing, right? Are you worried about retaliation? I don’t know this. However, since I am an eunuch, the news came relatively quickly. According to reports, Yushi Cui Chengxiu and Chen Yirui impeached you at the court a few days ago. The charges listed are as follows: Seven, the crime of gross disrespect is enough to cause you to be dismissed from office."
Hearing this, Qian Qianyi finally couldn't sit still. The evidence in his hand was true: "Uncle Dingwu, uncle, this official is..."
"Hey..." Chen Cao waved his hand: "Don't worry now, you can take a look at the listed crimes."
After saying that, he asked Xin Zhao to hand the impeachment letter to Qian Qianyi, and then said: "After the court meeting, His Majesty was furious and asked the cabinet to draw up a charter. Your Donglin Party wants to protect you, but Wang Wenyan, secretary of the cabinet, has already You surrendered to Eunuch Wei and gave you a lot of actual evidence, the ones you have in your hands. Now Zhao Nanxing, Gao Panlong, and Zuo Guangdou are all unable to protect themselves. For their own benefit, these people unanimously decided to abandon the car to protect the commander. It’s hard for you, the boss, first, the Chief Assistant Ye Xianggao has already agreed to dismiss you and investigate.”
After saying this, Chen Cao took the post from Zhao Xin: "Mr. Mu Zhai, this is the post from the Sanfa Division. I was ordered by the Nanzhen Fu Division to give you the post. Come on, take it first."
Qian Qianyi's body collapsed and he sat back on the chair: "Uncle...Uncle...Xiaoguan...Xiaoguan...I..."
