Wuying Hall, side hall.
Originally, He Wenyuan and Xu Youzhen were quarreling frequently, but as a number of East Palace officials gradually joined the fray, He Wenyuan was obviously unable to hold on.
Seeing this situation, the ministers on the side took a look at each other and were already planning to stop it. It's not that they were helping He Wenyuan, but this was the Wuying Palace after all. If the trouble continued, some of them might sink. Can't hold back my anger.
That's all for He Wenyuan, but if a minister at the level of Qi Qing expresses his attitude directly, it will be troublesome to handle the matter.
However, just when several people made eye contact with each other and were about to speak, Wynn's figure appeared at the door of the side hall.
"Everyone, Your Majesty has summoned you!"
Without further ado, Wynn entered the hall, bowed his hands, and then spoke directly.
As a result, everyone stopped arguing, stood up, and followed Hua En out of the side hall and headed to the main hall.
However, due to the dispute just now, the atmosphere between these people still had a strong smell of gunpowder.
When they arrived at Wuying Hall, the emperor changed into casual clothes and was already sitting on the throne.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
After all the ministers bowed respectfully, the emperor made everyone sit down. The current occasion, in terms of form, was considered a private meeting, but the number of people was quite large, so it could be regarded as a semi-formal public meeting. Therefore, I gave The toilet seat is unsuitable.
After everyone stood up, they stood according to their official positions and positions. Then, the emperor spoke.
"I'm sure you already know the reason why I called you here."
As he spoke, the emperor's expression became slightly stern and he said.
"Wang Tianguan, as the head of a hundred officials, there was such a commotion in the Wenhua Palace after the morning court. What's the explanation?"
Although everyone knew in their hearts that the purpose of summoning them this time was to resolve the dispute in the Wenhua Palace.
However, the process still needs to be followed. You must know that although the court has dispersed at that time, it is still in the palace after all.
With the ministers quarreling like this, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a breach of etiquette in front of the palace. Moreover, more importantly, on this occasion, if such a commotion occurred, the news would inevitably spread throughout the capital quickly, triggering discussions among the government and the public.
Therefore, as a group of important ministers who were present but failed to stop it in time, they will naturally be punished, and the first person to bear the brunt is Wang Wen, who is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
However, even if it is such a procedural thing, in the eyes of a caring person, some signs can still be seen. For example, the emperor characterized what happened in the Wenhua Palace as...a riot!
A look of thoughtfulness quickly flashed across the eyes of many ministers present. At the same time, Wang Wen had obviously anticipated the emperor's attitude, and he immediately surrendered.
"I failed to stop the commotion in the palace in time, please punish me!"
This was something that should be done. At that time, all the ministers in the Wenhua Palace had their own thoughts, so in fact, they were a little laissez-faire about the situation at that time. It is natural for them to be punished at this moment.
However, everyone was silent at that time, and it was really a bit unkind to let Wang Wen take the blame at this time. Therefore, the other elders could not help but look at him, and they thought to themselves, who I call you Wang Jianzhai the head of the hundred officials...
Wang Wen's attitude was good, but to his surprise, the emperor did not handle him lightly as usual. Although his tone was not harsh, the final punishment shocked everyone.
"The decree is conveyed that Wang Wen, as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the head of the hundred officials, sat back and watched the ministers rioting and quarreling in the Wenhua Palace. The noise continued, which was a great loss of court decorum. This was actually a breach of duty. Both of his salaries were taken away as a punishment! "
When this result came out, everyone present, including Wang Wen, was slightly surprised.
You know, although Wang Wen is responsible for this matter, firstly, the responsibility is not entirely his, and secondly, he is not the one who provoked the trouble. Therefore, everyone thought that even if the emperor punished him, it would only be symbolic as usual. A month's salary is fine, that's all.
However, I didn't expect that the emperor would be so angry. The so-called double salary literally means getting two salaries.
This treatment can be regarded as a special gift and a sign of being favored by the emperor in the court. Today, there are only three people in the court who are entitled to double salary, namely the young master Wang Wen and the young master Hu Hu. Shao Bao Yu Qian.
Originally, there was a Zhu Jian who was given a double salary to welcome the Supreme Emperor, but after the imperial examination case, his treatment was quickly cancelled.
In addition, even Yu Qian, who now seems to have lost his Sacred Heart, was once sentenced to prison, and was kicked out of the capital by the emperor to inspect local areas, has not been deprived of his double salary.
But now, just for such a small thing that cannot be completely blamed on Wang Wen, the emperor actually took away his double salary and special favor. What does this mean?
And, that's not all. The emperor just said the word "pass the edict", which means that this edict is not just an oral instruction like in the past, but it is to be formally formed into an imperial edict and clearly issued to all departments.
This kind of behavior is undoubtedly very embarrassing for Wang Wen, the leader of hundreds of officials.
The emperor dealt with it so seriously and mobilized so many troops. Could it be said that...
No matter what, everyone's originally relaxed attitude suddenly became tense.
Although Wang Wen himself was a little surprised by this kind of treatment, he was just stunned for a moment before stepping forward to receive the order.
Then, the emperor's eyes moved to the ministers in the palace and said.
"Gong Cheng, Minister He, and Xu Youzhen, this matter happened because of the three of you. Let's talk about it!"
Wang Wen's punishment was just a small episode, and what came next was the highlight of the day. Seeing the three named people standing in the hall, everyone was in high spirits.
Among the three, Zhu Yi has the highest status, so naturally he is the one to speak. The Duke stepped forward and bowed, saying.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that I have no intention to cause commotion, and I have no intention to make things difficult for anyone. After the court was dismissed, the original intention of the minister and Xu Xueshi was just because there have been many rumors in the court recently. They all said that He Shilang had reported to Your Majesty to invite Yi Chu. , As an official of the East Palace, I naturally have to ask, so I stopped Mr. He and wanted to ask clearly, that's all."
Although Zhu Yi has the title of Duke Cheng, as far as his official position is concerned, he is only the commander of the young army camp. From this point of view, there is nothing wrong with him saying that he is an official of the East Palace.
However, these words were abdicated of responsibility. Seeing this situation, He Wenyuan frowned and couldn't help but refute.
However, before he could speak, the emperor's voice rang out.
The emperor's expression was dull, but his eyes fell on Zhu Yi intentionally or unintentionally, and he said.
"Since you just want to ask for the truth, why don't you wait until the court is over to ask in private, and why do you have to block the way in front of the civil and military ministers in the Wenhua Palace?"
Although the tone of these words was not harsh, the implication was clearly that of blame.
Thinking of Wang Wen's situation just now, everyone couldn't help but have a thought in their minds. Could it be that Wang Wen's punishment was just to make it more justifiable when he demoted Zhu Yi and others?
After all, Wang Wen, as the emperor's first confidant in the court and the head of the officials, received such a heavy punishment because he failed to stop it in time.
So, as the protagonists of the riot in Wenhua Hall, can Zhu Yi, Xu Youzhen and others escape unscathed?
However, even in the face of such pressure, Zhu Yi did not panic, but opened his mouth and said.
"Your Majesty, I have not thought carefully about this matter."
"I was originally thinking that your Majesty has already made a clear decree and the foundation of the East Palace has been decided long ago. How can any minister in the court risk the disapproval of the world and ask your Majesty to change the crown prince?"
"Although I don't know where this rumor came from, it is probably just a rumor. Besides, the ministers in the court have always praised Lord He's conduct."
"So I felt at that time that Mr. He was probably framed by a villain. All the ministers were present in the Wenhua Palace. As long as Mr. He explained the matter clearly in person, all the troubles would be settled, but I never thought..."
At this point, Zhu Yi paused for a moment and looked at He Wenyuan, who had a rather ugly expression on the side. Then, his expression became a little heavy and he said.
"But I never thought that Mr. He would actually do such a thing. This was something that I never expected. After that, the ministers in the court attacked Mr. He's crowd, which eventually caused a riot. It was really a great excitement among the people. "Why do you think that your majesty is suspected of bewitching your majesty, alienating the heavenly family, and destabilizing the country? Your majesty clearly understands that although this chaos was not caused intentionally by me, it did arise because of me. If your majesty wants to reduce the responsibility, I am willing to accept the punishment."
As he spoke, Zhu Yi knelt down on the ground with a sincere look on his face.
However, even though he said this, the underlying meaning of his words was clearly that this matter had nothing to do with him. He Wenyuan was responsible for everything, and it was the actions of the officials themselves.
With these words in mind, if the emperor really wanted to punish him, it would seem a bit unkind.
Therefore, with his eyes slightly narrowed, Zhu Qiyu didn't say much, he just raised his hand and said.
"Since Duke Cheng Guo has no intention of provoking chaos, I just believe it. It doesn't have to be like this. Get up."
The words were obviously unpleasant, but Zhu Yi acted as if he didn't hear it, bowed his head and thanked her, then stood up, stood aside and said no more.
Then, the emperor turned his attention to Xu Youzhen and asked again.
"Xu Xueshi, just now Duke Cheng said that all the ministers in the court attacked He Shilang. What is going on?"
It was also a question with an answer, but with different status, the treatment was naturally different. Compared to Zhu Yi, the emperor's unkindness towards Xu Youzhen was obviously much stronger.
In contrast, Xu Youzhen's reaction was naturally different from Zhu Yi's. Seeing the emperor's reproachful look, Mr. Xu said with a worried look on his face.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that the East Palace is the foundation of the country. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has shown outstanding virtues since he was established as the crown prince. Whether it is to the Holy Mother, the Supreme Emperor, or His Majesty, he is respectful, loyal and filial to the emperor. He studies diligently every day and never neglects to read scriptures at banquets. His appearance and demeanor can serve as a role model for all princes, and this is something that is recognized by both the government and the public."
"However, Mr. He impeached His Highness the Crown Prince for no reason, disrupted the etiquette and laws, and intended to shake the foundation of the country. I and the ministers in the East Palace, under the orders of Your Majesty, and entrusted by the Holy Mother and the Supreme Emperor, are responsible for assisting and protecting His Highness the Crown Prince. After hearing this madness I was so frightened and angry because of my contradictory words that I did not consider that I was in the Wenhua Palace and my words were inappropriate, so please forgive me."
Unlike Zhu Yi who almost simply picked himself out, Xu Youzhen's words were more about entangled with He Wenyuan's impeachment of the crown prince.
And, more importantly, his words faintly brought all the officials in the East Palace to his side.
In this way, if the emperor wanted to punish him, he would have to punish him along with other subordinate officials in the East Palace. This move is not unwise.
Of course, his intention in saying this could be seen by other ministers present. However, none of the ministers in the East Palace who were "drawn into the water" by him had any intention of blaming Xu Youzhen. On the contrary, they were deeply concerned about Xu Youzhen's words. Agree.
As soon as Xu Youzhen finished speaking, Zuo Shuzi Ni Qian and Zuo Yude Liu Dingzhi, who had just spoken together in the Wenhua Hall, stood up and said.
"Your Majesty, what Academician Xu said is indeed true."
"As officials of the East Palace, I saw Minister He speaking nonsense in front of the civil and military ministers, talking about the abolition of the crown prince, etiquette, law and order. I was indignant for a moment and did not pay attention to my words. Please punish me."
At this point, Ni Qian paused, but did not stop.
Naturally, they came forward at this time not simply to help Xu Youzhen share the blame, but more importantly...
"However, I have the courage to speak frankly to Your Majesty. I am certainly guilty of this, but He Shilang's false talk about abolishing the establishment, intending to shake the country's foundation and sow discord between the Tian family, this crime is even greater."
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of the East Palace, was established in accordance with the decree of the Holy Mother. He received the gold-seal treasure book given by His Majesty, and was appointed by His Majesty to study in the pavilion and to foresee the affairs. This is a sign of the friendship of the heavenly family."
"Now, He Wenyuan secretly informs His Majesty, please change the reserve position. If this matter is small, it will cause a rift between Your Majesty and His Royal Highness, and if it is big, it will disturb the court and make the world uneasy."
"There are a lot of rumors now, and the government and the public are uneasy. If any of the ministers are allowed to remain in the court, the ministers in the court will inevitably have more suspicions about the relationship between the Tian family. This will, on the one hand, damage His Majesty's sanctity, and on the other hand, it will cause discussion in the court. It is difficult to concentrate on the ownership of the reserve. The third reason is that the ministers in the court will speculate on His Majesty's intentions, which will inevitably lead to the princes competing for the reserve, which will cause the disaster of brotherhood in the Tian family."
"Those three people are a disaster to the country, the family, and the world. Therefore, I sincerely request your majesty to severely punish He Wenyuan in order to consolidate the foundation of the country, stabilize the world, and stabilize the hearts and minds of the people of the country!"
After saying that, Ni Qian knelt down on the ground and kowtowed deeply. All the officials in the East Palace were slightly stunned. Then, Xu Youzhen was the first to react and cursed in his heart. The old man who was trying to steal the credit had a very solemn face, and he also knelt down. Falling to the ground, said.
"I second the proposal, please Your Majesty severely punish He Wenyuan!"
With these two people taking the lead, the other East Palace officials immediately reacted and walked to the palace and knelt on the ground.
Suddenly, several voices sounded in the palace, pleading for He Wenyuan to be severely punished...
