In Taiji Palace and Xuanzhengyuan, after all the ministers shouted long live, the emperor ascended to the throne to preside over the affairs of the state.
The emperor seems to be in a good mood today, his face is rosy, and his eyes are shining. He even reviewed 300 memorials in less than three hours yesterday. His energy is incredibly high, which makes him even more confident in the matter of cultivating immortality and becoming a Taoist.
On the throne, the emperor's tone remained majestic.
"My beloved ministers, if you have something to do, please report to me, but if you have nothing to do, please withdraw from the court."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Zou Dan, the imperial censor, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have my own original intention."
"allow."
Zou Dan hesitated for a long time, but decided to test the emperor's attitude first, and said: "Your Majesty, the matter reported by the minister is related to Lord Changping's son Sheng. Recently, the government and the public have been talking about Lord Changping's capture during the southern expedition."
The emperor saw Zou Dan's hesitant look, without any expression on his face, but said in a calm tone: "Say, the imperial court supports you, just to supervise all officials and clean up the court, hesitantly, what's the reason?"
When Zou Shan saw Emperor Dingliuzi, he stepped forward without any hesitation and said: "Your Majesty, I would like to advise Uncle Wei, the official, to write a letter to impeach Lord Changping on the suspicion that his military exploits in the southern expedition were false. Although Lord Changping fought hard, he was captured." , but it was not as stated in the battle report that we had to fight alone to cover the retreat of the main force of our army. Wei Chen believes that Lord Changping’s military exploits in conquering the mountain puppets in the south should be re-evaluated.”
When the emperor heard this, he still said in a calm tone: "Oh? False report of military exploits? If it is true, how do you think it should be handled?"
Zou Shan said: "Your Majesty, although Changping Jun was captured in the battle, he was a defeated general after all, and he falsely reported his military exploits to deceive the court. The ministers thought that he should not be named General Pingnan, and the court should withdraw his general title and take back his rewards. , rectify the source.”
After hearing this, the emperor just nodded slightly and said, "Well, what is the Eastern Palace's opinion on Sheng'er's false declaration of military exploits?"
Nowadays, the prince supervises the country. Although he only handles daily common affairs, most of the government affairs of the court still have to be handled by the prince. Someone has written a letter to impeach Lord Changping. The East Palace must know about this.
When the emperor asked this question, he was also asking the prince what his attitude was towards this matter.
When Zou Shan heard this, he immediately guessed whether the emperor was suspecting that the prince was making a fuss about Changping Jun's false claims of military exploits behind his back.
When Zou Shan saw that the emperor had asked, he could only tell the truth. He stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince's handling of this matter is to withhold the memorial and keep it without issuing it. He has repeatedly advised the doctor Uncle Wei three times. The letter was unsuccessful, so we had no choice but to bring the matter to our censor's desk."
The ministers listening to the government in the Xuanzhengyuan immediately understood the prince's intention. The prince was coldly dealing with the matter of Lord Changping's false declaration of military exploits. The prince's move was to bring the ball to the Xuanzhengyuan side and let the emperor handle the matter. If His Highness the Crown Prince If he handles it without authorization, if he doesn't do it well, everyone will think that he is deliberately targeting Lord Changping. The brothers are jealous of each other. Instead of telling the truth, it is better to pretend not to see it. Anyway, sooner or later, someone will trick the Xuanzhengyuan of Taiji Palace. It can be a clever response.
When the emperor heard this, he finally frowned a little, and just said lightly: "This matter will be discussed later."
Zou Dan, the imperial censor, heard the words but did not intend to stop. He continued to step forward and said: "Your Majesty, Uncle Wei has said in the letter that after Lord Changping was captured, in order to escape as soon as possible, he actually recognized the master of the Nanman as his false father. The Nanman He also extorted a ransom fee of one million gold, which was allegedly advanced by Lord Changping himself in private. In the name of the imperial court, the East Palace sent a letter to the censor of Xinchuan County to verify the authenticity of the matter, so as to prevent others from framing Lord Changping and investigate. The result is that it is difficult to distinguish the authenticity of the false father, and the matter of Lord Changping’s ransom payment is certain.”
"However, according to the letter written by Lord Changping after his return, the reason why he was able to return was because the enemy chief Sheng Dadi admired him very much and showed sympathy to each other, so he was allowed to return. I am afraid that Lord Changping was captured and sent to the city. I just believe Mr. Changping’s words.”
As soon as this statement came out, the ministers in the Xuanzhengyuan were in an uproar. It was fine that the court did not hold him accountable for the defeat of Gongzi Sheng. In order to escape, he actually recognized the thief as his father and secretly paid for peace with the mountain puppet? The court still doesn’t know about this? Did you get the title of general afterward? If this matter is publicized by someone who is interested, it will lose the face of the court. Now even if the emperor wants to protect Lord Changping, he can't do it. He must give advice on how to deal with it.
When the emperor heard this, his expression changed slightly. Before the emperor could make a statement, Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng stepped forward and spoke:
"Your Majesty, this matter concerns the dignity of the imperial court. I believe that it should be dealt with strictly. Please send a letter to the censors of the four Lingnan counties to investigate in detail the causes and consequences of this matter."
The ministers of the Xuanzheng Yuan stepped forward one after another and said in unison: "I second my opinion!"
The emperor said expressionlessly: "It's accurate."
After resigning from the court, the emperor as usual invited left minister Huo Zheng and others to discuss state affairs.
After entering the back hall of Xuanzhengyuan, the emperor handed the investigation report of the Tsing Yi envoy to the left prime minister Huo Zheng for review.
After Huo Zheng read it, he understood that the emperor knew exactly what happened in Lingnan. The reason why Mu Sheng was isolated and helpless, defeated and captured, was mainly responsible for the general Lu Sheng who presided over the southern expedition. It was a mistake in judgment that led to the accidental capture of Lord Changping. The emperor actually knew that Prince Sheng of Changping Lord secretly spent money to negotiate peace with the mountain puppets. The spies of the Tsing Yi Envoy had already figured out the whole story since Prince Sheng had been captured for such a long time. The investigation was clear.
Seeing that Huo Zheng had read the secret report from the Qingyi envoy, the emperor asked: "Huo Aiqing, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Huo Zheng, the left prime minister, pondered for a long time and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Changping should be held accountable. The four counties in Lingnan are the newly created territory of our dynasty. General Lu Sheng has been managing Lingnan for many years and has made great contributions to stabilizing the southern border of our dynasty. He is well deserved." The pillar of the country, and the way of using troops, water has no constant shape, and soldiers have no constant momentum. General Lu’s momentary misjudgment was not a big mistake. How can there be a general who always wins? Under the pursuit and interception of nearly 300,000 soldiers of the Southern Barbarian Alliance, Lu It is already very difficult for the old general to decisively lead his troops to retreat safely. The four Lingnan counties still need General Lu to be in charge, so your majesty please observe clearly."
Right Prime Minister Huo Zheng's meaning is very clear. The stability of the four Lingnan counties is the most important. Since the affairs of Lord Changping have been exposed, then let's just ignore the mistakes and let Master Sheng take the blame.
When Huo Zheng saw the emperor's hesitation, he understood that the emperor actually valued Young Master Sheng very much.
Huo Zheng stepped forward and admonished him: "Your Majesty, Young Master Sheng has not yet been crowned. He is still young and will have many opportunities to perform in the future."
When the emperor heard this, he understood that he could not blame the important frontier generals for this matter. Since it was related to the country and the country, he could only temporarily aggrieve Young Master Sheng.
Of course the emperor knew how to choose, and he made a decision immediately, saying: "I will deal with it strictly according to what Ai Qing said."
"No, I will prepare the decree right now."
The court's work was also very efficient. After the court meeting ended in the morning, Taiji Palace sent someone to the Changping Lord's house to read the edict in the afternoon.
"In response to the time, I received the order from the Ming Dynasty. The imperial edict said that Prince Sheng of Changping Lord was ordered to attack the mountain puppets in the south. However, the battle was ineffective and he was defeated and captured. As a result, the government and the public looked sideways. One general was incompetent and the three armies were burdened. And Prince Sheng After returning to the country, he actually lied about his military exploits, deceived his superiors and deceived his subordinates, and did not deceive the emperor directly. I am deeply disappointed. I will remove the title of General Pingnan from the young master Sheng, remove the title of the monarch, and take back the rewards from the court. From now on, the young master Sheng will not be allowed to do so. Go out of the house, close the door and think about your mistakes, admire this."
After the edict was read out, Mu Sheng was sent back to before liberation almost overnight. This time it was the eunuch Yang Liu who came to deliver the edict, and it was not Lu Liang, the head of the inner court, who personally came to deliver the edict. This represented to a certain extent the imperial court and the emperor. Change of attitude towards him.
After Yang Liu handed the edict to Young Master Sheng, his tone no longer had the intention of deliberately trying to please Lord Changping, and he looked completely businesslike.
Yang Liu said calmly: "Master Sheng, please hand over the gold book and jade seal of the title of emperor, as well as the gifts given by His Majesty the Emperor."
At this moment, Mu Sheng was still immersed in the state of confusion after being deprived of everything. After Yang Liu reminded him, he turned around and ordered the servants in the mansion to fetch the gold book and jade seal that he had received when he was conferred three years ago.
Mu Sheng took the golden book and jade seal from the temple. He was stunned for a while, sighed, and handed the golden book and jade seal, which represented his status, to Yang Liu who came to convey the order.
The servants in the mansion carried out from the treasury all the treasures that the emperor had given him when he was granted the title. These were the jade ornaments and crowns worn by the prince to represent his status, as well as various gifts that were originally given to him. Utensils, etc., these things are strictly state-owned assets. As long as he loses his status as a prince, all these things must be handed over to the court.
When Mu Sheng saw Yang Liuqian waiting in the courtyard, he stepped forward with a friendly face and invited him: "Eunuch Yang, it will take time to move these ritual vessels. Please give me the honor of Eunuch Yang to rest in the inner courtyard. How can I show my friendship as a landlord?"
Yang Liu waved his hands calmly, still with a businesslike face, and refused very simply: "Mr. Sheng, you are too polite. Your kindness is appreciated by me. I am just a humble person delivering orders. I dare not I’m invited, but I hope you’ll be considerate.”
When Mu Sheng saw Yang Liu's respectful and arrogant attitude, he cursed in his heart, these people's faces changed so quickly. As soon as he fell out of favor, he immediately changed his face at the speed of light. It really fulfilled the old saying, a phoenix that has lost its hair is worse than a phoenix. chicken.
Mu Sheng turned his eyes and ordered the servant beside him to get a beautiful lacquerware food box and handed it over, saying meaningfully:
"Eunuch Yang, this is a specially made pastry from my house. It has a unique taste and is my heartfelt request. I hope your father-in-law will accept it."
Yang Liu saw that Young Master Sheng had fallen out of favor and was nothing more. He wanted to refuse again, but when he saw Young Master Sheng's sincere attitude, after all, the phoenix that had lost its hair was still the son of a dragon and a grandson. He had not been demoted to a commoner, and his status was still higher than his. The eunuch was much taller, and when he refused, he seemed a little too careless. After thinking about it, he still reluctantly accepted the "heartedness" offered by Young Master Sheng.
Yang Liu took the gourmet food box handed over by Mu Sheng, and suddenly felt his hand heavy. He almost lost his grip and wondered what was in it. He opened the top lid of the food box slightly and took a look. He was secretly shocked when he saw that the food box was full of gold. He immediately closed the food box as if nothing had happened and hugged it tightly in his arms.
At this moment, Yang Liu's attitude immediately turned another 180 degrees, and his face almost turned into a blooming chrysanthemum with a smile.
Yang Liu smiled and said: "Sir, how can you do this? I am just a humble servant responsible for delivering orders. How can a servant be qualified to taste such delicious cakes?"
Mu Sheng saw that this guy was humble in words but honest in body. Seeing that he accepted his kindness without hesitation, he chuckled and said:
"Hey, Eunuch Yang, what are you talking about? It's just some pastries, ordinary things, and not worth a lot of money. Eunuch, please don't be polite."
Yang Liu smiled and said: "Then...here, I thank you for your reward."
Seeing that his "intention" had taken effect, Mu Sheng invited him again: "Eunuch Yang, can you go to the guest house in the backyard to talk for a while?"
Yang Liu knew what Young Master Sheng meant. He wanted to inquire about the news in the palace. He hesitated for a long time, then glanced at the worthless "heart" in his arms and sighed inwardly!
Forget it, for the sake of Qian's sake, it's no big deal to reveal some insignificant things. Anyway, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Young Master Sheng to turn around in the future. Even if he knows the true situation in the palace, what will happen?
