In the Longevity Palace, Emperor Zhizheng looked at the account book in his hand, but did not make any movement for a long time.
Guo Zhu was waiting beside him, his face as sinking as water.
Wang Ji and other eunuchs were so angry that they didn't dare to breathe.
After a long while, Emperor Zhizheng suddenly laughed: "Okay, I've been checking again and again, and it's been found on my son!"
When Wang Ji heard this, his heart moved, but his face remained calm.
Emperor Zhizheng looked up at Guo Zhu and said, "Did Xu He give it to you?"
Guo Zhu nodded: "Just now, I entered the palace immediately after getting the account book, without any delay!"
Emperor Zhizheng looked at Guo Zhu: "Tell me, why did he give you the account book?"
Guo Zhu said expressionlessly: "It must be because of the relationship between Xie Kun and the Queen!"
"avoid arousing suspicion!"
After Emperor Zhizheng said these two words, he looked ahead, his eyes unblinking, as if he was considering whether this reason was worthy of belief.
After a while, he asked again: "Now that the account book is out, how do you think it is credible?"
Guo Zhu hesitated for a long time and finally replied: "In my opinion, we cannot make any hasty conclusions as to whether the things described in it are true."
"After all, the person who forced Wang Xuedao's death has not yet been found out. If it is someone with ulterior motives..."
Before he finished speaking, Emperor Zhizheng threw the account book at his feet: "Editor, keep editing! If you go to Huguang to check this kind of thing, it will be broad daylight immediately. Is there anyone behind the scenes who is superfluous?"
"Yes!" Guo Zhu's expression finally changed, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.
To be honest, it wasn't that he wanted to make it up. The matter actually involved the deposed prince. Even he had to be careful what he said. What if Emperor Zheng changed his mind one day and let Zhang Yan become the prince again? How would he deal with it?
Emperor Zhizheng said at this time: "Go and recruit that bastard into the palace!"
This was said to Wang Ji, and the bastard was naturally referring to the deposed prince Zhang Yan.
Wang Ji heard this and went out of the palace to explain.
Here, Emperor Zhizheng suddenly remembered something and added: "Go, call the cabinet ministers and Prince Consort Xu He into the palace!"
"Yes..." Wang Ji, who had just reached the door, turned around and agreed.
After saying this, Emperor Zhizheng frowned and thought deeply about how to deal with the other people on the account book.
After a while, he snorted coldly and said to Guo Zhu: "Go and control all the people in this account book."
Guo Zhu raised his eyelids, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, we have counted the minor ministers here. There are twenty-seven officials above fifth rank involved. Are they all arrested?"
"Catch them all!"
"yes!"
Although Guo Zhu is calm on the surface, in fact, he has already stirred up huge waves in his heart at this moment. Today, the whole capital will be in shock because of this account book!
The first to enter the palace were several cabinet ministers.
After seeing Qin Yan and others, Emperor Zhizheng took off his boots and sat on the couch. Because he only tied up his hair, his hair was spread out on the couch.
When he saw the cabinet minister, he was still reading the scroll in his hand. After a while, he said: "Wait a minute, Xu He will be here soon!"
Xu He was called into the palace when he was working at the Hanlin Academy.
I thought that this man had lost his favor because of the incident at the former military governor's house, but who would have expected that he would be called into the palace again.
Everyone in the courtyard was extremely curious, what on earth is going on? What kind of medicine is sold in the emperor's gourd?
But there is more than one thing that the people in the Hanlin Academy cannot understand.
Not long after Xu He left, a group of royal guards broke into the yamen and took away the bachelor Zhang Lan.
This is incredible. Zhang Lan is a well-known poet in this dynasty. He has been working diligently in the Hanlin Academy for more than 20 years. Why was he suddenly arrested as soon as he said he was arrested?
What happened?
…
When Xu He arrived at the Wanshou Palace, Emperor Zhizheng only glanced at him and said lazily: "Since everyone is here, let's talk about it. The situation in Huguang is now in danger. The court has not been able to find out where the rebels are. , you are all my loyal ministers, at this time, you must find some way, right?"
Qin Yan and Wu Xingbang were a little confused when they heard this. It wasn't the first day they knew about Huguang. You unexpectedly asked us to come over and offer advice? why?
However, Wu Xingbang was smart. Although he didn’t know much about military affairs, he still thought of something wrong: “Your Majesty, I suggest that Sichuan, Guangxi, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Henan, etc., as long as they are provinces bordering Huguang, be vigilant. Get up, and all provincial governors must send people to guard their own provinces to prevent rebels from rising and spreading to other provinces!"
The truth is indeed this. Although it costs a lot, but in the face of unknown risks, such precautions are necessary.
But Wu Xingbang only gave general suggestions, but did not have any practical methods. It seems that the military aspect is indeed its shortcoming.
Qin Yan was a little sad because of Emperor Zhizheng. He acted like a gourd and kept silent.
Seeing that he had no intention of expressing his position, Xu Song had no choice but to say: "What Mr. Ci Fu said is true. The imperial court can refer to the southeastern provinces to prepare for Japan, unify the powers, and establish governors of the four provinces!"
Wu Xingbang asked curiously: "Why four provinces?"
Xu Song explained: "Sichuan soldiers and horses have been prepared and are gathering at the border between Huguang and Sichuan. It is impossible for the thieves to return to Sichuan!"
"Guangxi is located on the border. Some of the thieves set out from Guangxi and headed north. Coming to Guangxi was not their purpose!"
"In Jiangxi, Sheng Zhengqi's troops are annihilating the rebels in the Chalingguan area of Yuanzhou Prefecture. With a large army gathering, the rebels will not go to Jiangxi."
"Now only Henan, Shaanxi, Nanzhi and Huguang provinces need unified powers! Therefore, there should be a governor responsible for suppressing bandits in the four provinces!"
When Emperor Zhizheng heard this, his expression finally softened: "Is there anyone who can choose?"
The plan was proposed by Xu Song, so naturally he could not decide on the choice. Xu Song withdrew.
Qin Yan finally said at this time: "The best candidate is Mr. Xu Ge!"
When Xu He heard this, he secretly scolded the old boy for his bad intentions.
However, Emperor Zhizheng directly vetoed it without thinking.
Just kidding, now Xu Song is a military professional among the cabinet ministers, so it is impossible for him to let Xu Song go.
Qin Yan's suggestion of Xu Song was just an introduction. His real candidate was actually...
"Zuo Sizhong, the minister of the Ministry of War, is from Yaozhou, Xi'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province. He is familiar with military affairs and is also from Shaanxi. It seems more suitable."
Although Xu Song is in charge of the Ministry of War, he has already said that he is the elder of Bichege, and the people in the Ministry of War are not his disciples.
However, Zuo Sizhong was actually Qin Yan's son and daughter. Qin Yan's daughter was married to Zuo Sizhong's second son.
Xu He didn't know much about Zuo Sizhong. He only knew that he was named Changchen. His grandfather was the deputy of the Dali Temple, and his father was a minister of the Ministry of Justice. It can be said that he was born in a family of officials.
With such a birth, it is said that he knows military affairs, but I don’t know where Qin Yan’s arguments come from?
Oh, by the way, he is the Minister of War, so he knows military matters by default?
it's wired!
After unifying the powers, the next step will be easier. The provinces are encircling and sending orders to the chieftains of various guards in Sichuan and Sheng Zhengqi's troops in Jiangxi to be on guard against the situation in Huguang.
"Your Majesty, what about food and salary..." This is what Qin Yan is most concerned about.
Emperor Zhizheng seemed to be in a hurry, waved his hand and said: "Go down and discuss it and write a note. Xu He, please stay here for a while!"
After several cabinet ministers left, Wang Ji ran up in small steps: "Your Majesty, your majesty... that gentleman is in the side hall now!"
"Tell him to get in!"
