It should be said that the current civil and military ministers of the Ming Dynasty have very complicated feelings towards the eunuchs. Because of Wang Zhen's incident, they hate the eunuchs' autocratic power to the extreme and are extremely vigilant. However, at the same time, when targeting a certain individual, But at the same time, they were slightly afraid.
The shadow of a famous tree. Although Eunuch Shu Liang was not as powerful as Wang Zhen, his reputation was well-deserved in terms of ruthlessness and cruelty. From the time when the Xuan Mansion kidnapped the Supreme Emperor to the time when he forced his way into the Nangong Palace after the spring hunt, Then this time, Yu Qian, a high-ranking official, was forcibly taken away in full view of the public. Each of these events confirmed Eunuch Shu's reputation as a 'mad dog'.
No matter what kind of court official you are, a noble relative, or even... as long as Eunuch Shu has an oral message in his hand, you are just like a chicken or a dog in front of him.
As the saying goes, the soft one is afraid of the hard one, and the hard one is afraid of the violent one. This Eunuch Shu is clearly the one who is violent, and sometimes, he may even be the one who is risking his life.
Originally, this matter was nothing. After all, they were just relaying the memorials of other ministers, not impeaching them personally, so they just said it.
But who would have thought that Shu Liang would be in the palace today, complaining in front of others, which would naturally make people feel sad, but even so, what needs to be done must be done.
The purpose of the two of them coming today is to save Yu Qian. This is not only their intention, but also the idea of many ministers in the outer court. To put it bluntly, they were just pushed out. There is no guarantee that it will be successful, but if this happens If you don't draw all the cards, you may be blamed after leaving the palace.
Fortunately, the emperor is not an unreasonable person. Looking at the two cabinet ministers kneeling below, after his anger slowly subsided, he realized that this was not their fault.
So, with a slightly calmer expression, Zhu Qiyu waved his hand and said.
"You guys get up first."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
The two of them stood up carefully, but they did not dare to look to the side, for fear of meeting a certain father-in-law's smiling face that remained unchanged for thousands of years.
However, they did not dare to provoke Shu Liang, but some people dared to push the memorial in front of them forward. Zhu Qiyu turned aside and said.
"Shu Liang, now the ministers in the court are impeaching you for being arrogant and insulting the dignity of the court ministers. What can you say?"
Facing the emperor's 'questioning', Eunuch Shu stepped forward with a calm face.
"Going back to your Majesty, this slave was sent to Shaobao's home for confinement in accordance with the Imperial Majesty's decree. I really don't know why your lords impeached this slave."
"snort!"
Under the gazes of Wang Ao and Yu Shiyue, the emperor suddenly changed his expression and snorted coldly.
"You still dare to quibble. I asked you to take Yu Qian back to his home. Who asked you to take someone to take him away? I have issued an order, how dare he resist it?"
"You relied on my will to be so rude to a high-ranking member of the imperial court, and now so many courtiers are petitioning for impeachment. How dare you say that you are right?"
The words were spoken in a very harsh tone, but Wang Ao and Yu Shiyue, who were listening, felt inexplicably that the emperor was somewhat criticizing Huai.
Shu Liang was sensible, and when he saw the emperor getting angry, he immediately knelt down on the ground respectfully and said.
"I know my mistake, and I am willing to accept the punishment!"
"That being the case, the Dongchang will be left in charge of Wynn for the time being. You can hand over your errands and go back to the harem to serve..."
The emperor's face softened slightly and he gave instructions.
Immediately, Shu Liang also kowtowed and thanked him.
"My servant thanks your majesty for your kindness."
So, Zhu Qiyu turned to the two cabinet ministers on the side and asked.
"Gentlemen, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"
Wang Ao and Yu Shiyue smiled bitterly, knowing that starting with Shu Liang was not a good idea.
Look at the question, the dissatisfaction is almost overflowing.
The eunuch in the inner palace is, after all, a slave of the emperor. As long as the Sacred Heart is still there, it is impossible to do anything to him.
Apart from anything else, the emperor's treatment was indeed very insincere.
Being dismissed from a job would be a serious punishment for anyone, but for Shu Liang, it was nothing.
After all, there has been an experience once, and, look at what the emperor said, Dongchang asked Huai En to take charge of it. You know, after Cheng Jing left, Huai En served in the imperial court again and had to take charge of the ceremonial supervisor. Now again With the addition of Dongchang, it would be better to split the Duke Huai into three pieces.
Putting Dongchang under Huai En's name, to put it bluntly, actually let Shu Liang take charge of it. This is no different from not being demoted.
And, more importantly, their target is not Shu Liang...
After hesitating for a moment, Wang Ao spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty, although Eunuch Shu did something wrong, I think it is enough for me to come here to apologize and be careful in my words and deeds in the future. It does not need to be such a serious matter as dismissal."
"Yeah?"
Zhu Qiyu didn't buy this account, knocked on the table in front of him and said.
"But that's not what this memorial says. Eunuchs monopolize power, bring harm to the country and the people, ignore superiority and inferiority, and arrogantly overstep their authority. Judging from these crimes, my punishment is rather light. He should be demoted directly to Fengyang to guard the mausoleum!"
This was clearly an irony, so much so that the two ministers on the side couldn't help but sweat and said hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, the ministers in the DPRK do not know the specific situation and may have made inappropriate remarks. Please forgive me."
"Excuse me?"
The emperor sneered, but did not comment on these words. After a while, the emperor spoke again, but he had calmed down and said.
"I gave you the punishment you asked for. Shu Liang made a mistake and I punished him. The courtiers made mistakes and I can't forgive them easily. That's it for today. I'm exhausted. You can go back and do your errands."
this……
The two looked at each other, looked at the emperor's calm face, and sighed silently.
They really didn't expect that the emperor would be so angry this time. Originally, they came here to think of big things and turn them into small things.
Among the memorials to impeach Shu Liang, many were written by important officials in the court. The leader was Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu. Others included two ministers from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Punishment, as well as Lang Guan and other officials from various ministries. officials.
Because of this, they put these memorials together with Yu Qian's affairs. They originally thought that if the emperor wanted to protect Shuliang, he would definitely not care about Yu Qian. In this way, they would get the best of both worlds and the matter would be over.
Although the emperor must be feeling uncomfortable, that will happen in the future...
But who would have thought that this time the emperor was so determined to ask Yu Qian to bow his head and submit, that he would not even hesitate to take Shu Liang's job to silence the ministers, but was not willing to forgive Yu Qian.
It seems that they still underestimated the seriousness of this incident.
That's right, since Yu Qian returned to the capital, the emperor has tolerated him not once or twice. This time, the claustrophobic confinement seems to be because of the palace gate kneeling to remonstrate, but in fact, it is probably the concentrated outbreak of conflicts during this period. .
Having said that, they couldn't continue to persuade Shu Liang. Shu Liang was demoted, which could be regarded as an explanation to the government and the public. However, with the emperor's attitude, it would be difficult to let Yu Qian out...
Wang Ao and the two left with sad faces, but Shu Liang stayed. After the two disappeared, Zhu Qiyu looked away from the memorial on the case and asked.
"Shu Liang, what do you think about this matter?"
"I know that these bosses are not targeting me, they just want to save Yu Shaobao. The emperor asked me to return to the harem to serve you for the sake of the stability of the court."
Shu Liang bowed and spoke respectfully.
These words were very skillful, and he answered two questions at once. If it were an ordinary person, he would probably only understand that the emperor was asking him if he felt aggrieved.
However, Shu Liang was able to go one step further and express that he had no complaints about the ministers' participation in the impeachment. It had to be said that these words indeed touched Zhu Qiyu's heart. He nodded and said.
"You are doing things for me. This time, I have indeed wronged you. However, it is also a good thing. I just have an errand for you..."
After listening to the emperor's instructions, Shu Liang blinked and said with some hesitation.
"Your Majesty, why don't you discuss this...such a big matter with the courtiers?"
"No, you can just do it yourself. Besides, I asked you to keep an eye on Song Wenyi before. How's it going?"
It was certainly not a trivial matter that could shock Shu Liang. However, Zhu Qiyu's expression did not cause much trouble. After a brief explanation, he asked about another matter.
So, Shu Liang suppressed the shock in his heart and said.
"Back to your lord, Song Wenyi has been very busy in recent days. After his last case of seizing people's land went unsolved, there are many people who are clinging to him inside and outside the palace. Now his house is full of people. , It is said that there are people who give money, calligraphy and paintings, but Song Wenyi does not refuse anyone who comes, and he has gathered many confidants under the banner of the emperor asking him to prepare manpower. "
Zhu Qiyu nodded, but did not comment on what Song Wenyi did, but just gave instructions.
"Let him go to the palace tomorrow. I have something to tell him."
"yes……"
Shu Liang quietly retreated.
At the same time, Wang Ao and Yu Shiyue were stopped as soon as they left the palace. At first glance, they found that they were not easy to mess with. Chen Yi from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Chen Xun from the Ministry of Works, and Jin Lian from the Criminal Ministry , picked up a reluctant Hubu Shen Yi, and then there were two ministers from the Ministry of War, waiting outside to hear the news.
Among these people, Chen Yi is under the greatest pressure. After all, he has a lot of scientific censors under him. If the matter does not come to an end, there is no telling what trouble will happen to the gang of brats in the Inspectorate.
"How about it? Has Your Majesty promised to release Yu Shaobao?"
Looking at the expressions of the two of them, Chen Yi had an ominous premonition, but he couldn't help but be the first to ask.
Unsurprisingly, Yu Shiyue sighed and said.
"Your Majesty has decreed that Shaobao should meditate on his faults in his mansion. If he thinks clearly, he can submit a letter of apology and he will be forgiven."
Chen Xun and others on the side couldn't help but be a little surprised, and then asked.
"Then Shu Liang's side..."
"Shu Liang was relieved of his duties as the eunuch supervisor of the East Factory by His Majesty and sent back to serve in the harem. The East Factory is temporarily in charge of Eunuch Huai'en."
Yu Shiyue's voice sounded again, breaking everyone's illusions.
After hearing these words, everyone frowned. Apparently, they all realized the emperor's intention of doing this.
As a result, their eyes moved to Shen Yi who was aside, and then Chen Yi spoke.
"Shang Shu Shen, this matter originated from the Ministry of Revenue. I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue has to find a way to solve it..."
Being looked at by so many people, Chen Yi couldn't help but feel bitter in his heart.
He provoked whomever! Why is it all his fault...
However, he just thought about this in his heart. He also knew that Yu Qian was more or less taking the pressure on Hu Bu.
If Yu Qian had not come forward to oppose Huangzhuang, then all the pressure would have come to the Hubu.
If he, the Minister of Household Affairs, obeys the decree without saying a word, he will definitely be impeached by the court officials. But if he speaks out to protest, let alone that he dare not go against the emperor, just saying that he has agreed to the emperor that day, if it is now If you object, you may really anger the emperor.
Now that other methods have been used, he, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, can only handle this matter. As for the method...
"Everyone, it's not that Shen doesn't want to help, but at this moment, confronting His Majesty may not have any effect, let alone..."
Chen Yi sighed, bowed his hands to the people present, and said helplessly.
"What's more, your Majesty has already sent people to take away the detailed household register and fish scale album a few days ago. Even if the Ministry of Household Affairs delays, I'm afraid it may not be able to stop your Majesty."
To be honest, he is not willing to come to Japan today. Everyone is a thousand-year-old fox. Of course, Shen Yi can think of any solution that others can think of.
Nowadays, if you want His Majesty to be too noble and overly modest, in addition to asking Yu Qian to admit his mistakes, it is also a matter of weighing the pros and cons.
The emperor has always valued the stability of the court and the implementation of major policies. This is their opportunity. They want to save Yu Qian. Now they have three cards in their hands to play.
The first is to rectify the military camp. Needless to say, as the presiding officer, Yu Qian is banned from the government, so this matter will inevitably be delayed. However, this is also the reason why they are eager to rescue Yu Qian, because In this matter, Yu Qian is not the only candidate, and the emperor is angry now, so this card is of little use. Judging from the statements of Yu Shiyue and others, this is indeed the case.
In addition, there is Shu Liang. After all, what Shu Liang received that day was just an oral order. Regardless of whether the emperor really gave the order or not, to forcefully take away an important official of the court without an edict was strictly against the rules. This One thing, Shu Liang cannot be relied on. Because of this, the courtiers dared to seize this point for impeachment. After all, this is also the law of the court.
Because oral orders are too easy to forge. Even if Jinyiwei arrests someone, he still needs a driving certificate issued by the Sixth Section, let alone Shu Liang detaining an important court official based on the so-called oral order. If this case is not impeached, So it is not impossible that in the future someone will falsely spread the edict and imprison all the important officials in the court for other purposes.
The courtiers were right about this, and it was impossible for the emperor not to understand. Therefore, if he wanted to protect Shu Liang, then the best way would be for everyone to turn a blind eye. The emperor would not blame Yu Qian, nor would the ministers. Investigate Shu Liang's audacity.
But this move is obviously useless. His Majesty would rather punish Shu Liang than let Yu Qian come out. Then, they will only have the last card left...
Huangzhuang!
(End of chapter)
