In the Weiyang Palace, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was talking to Sang Hongyang, the great farmer.
At this moment.
Outside the palace, the eunuch came to report.
"Your Majesty, I would like to see Zhang Tang, the imperial censor."
Hearing Zhang Tang's arrival, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty frowned slightly and said to himself: "I didn't summon Zhang Tang, so why is he here? Has the case of Baling been settled?"
"That's all."
"Sang Hongyang, go back first!"
Sang Hongyang immediately bowed and nodded: "No!"
After Sang Hongyang worshiped and left the palace, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che said to the eunuch: "Okay, let the imperial censor come in and see me!"
Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately brought Zhang Tang in.
After the imperial censor entered the palace, he bowed to see His Majesty.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty looked at Zhang Tang and asked, "Yu Shi Zhang, have you finished dealing with the Ba Ling matter?"
Hear this.
Zhang Tang then said: "Your Majesty, the culprit has been caught."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che nodded slightly and said, "Then the person who stole Ba Ling's coins will be punished according to the law!"
"promise."
Zhang Tang cupped his hands and said.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che glanced at Zhang Tang and saw that he didn't look like he was leaving, so he asked, "Is there anything else?"
Zhang Tang immediately nodded and said: "Your Majesty, I want to perform a play for you? Your Majesty, please forgive me for my presumption!"
"A play?" Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was a little confused.
And Zhang Tang, the censor doctor, has already started to perform.
I saw Zhang Tang acting like Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai at ordinary times, and said: "I have something to report to your majesty, Zhuang Qingzhai, and I hope your majesty will handle it."
Hear this.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che felt very strange, shook his head and asked: "Zhang Yushi, what do you mean?"
"Why are you pretending to be prime minister when you have nothing to do?"
"Moreover, he said some strange words that I couldn't understand."
At this time.
The imperial censor took a step back, pretended to be the prime minister, and said to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Your Majesty, I have something to report to you, your humble minister Zhu Maichen!"
"Wei Chen discovered that Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, had engaged in bribery with businessmen."
"Every time His Majesty issues a new decree, merchants are always the first to know about it. It is Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, who reveals it."
Finished.
Zhang Tang stood aside again and said, "My lord, I second my proposal."
"Chen Biantong seconded the proposal."
After playing the role of the three minions, Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, said again: "Your Majesty, what the third official said is exactly the result of the investigation by the minister Zhuang Qingzhai. I hope your majesty will punish Zhang Tang!"
After finishing this play.
Only then did Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, return to his true self and said, "Your Majesty, these are the good shows I want to show you."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was a little angry and said: "I can't understand what you are doing!"
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was a little confused by all Zhang Tang's actions.
Even though Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very smart, he did not understand the meaning of Zhang Tang, the imperial censor.
It happened that at this time, a eunuch came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai and the Third Chief Shi seek an audience?"
Hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty couldn't help but frowned and muttered to himself.
"It's really weird. No matter what you say to him, he comes."
At this moment.
Zhang Tang, the censor doctor, then said: "Your Majesty, can I apply to retreat? Otherwise, I am afraid that I will be present, and Zhuang Qingzhai will not dare to sue me."
"ha?"
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was a little confused at the moment.
how!
There are still people who are eager for the other party to sue them? However, at this time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty seemed to understand what the previous censor Zhang Tang had been doing.
to this end.
He then said to Zhang Tang: "Then you should step aside first!"
"promise."
After saying this, Zhang Tang, the censor doctor, retreated to a very hidden side of the palace, where no one would pay attention.
At this time.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Checai continued to say to the eunuch: "Let the prime minister and others come in!"
"promise."
then.
The Prime Minister and the Third Chief were able to enter the palace and meet His Majesty.
After performing the same courtesy as a monarch and his ministers.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che looked at the Prime Minister and San Changshi behind him indifferently, and asked: "Prime Minister, why did you rush into the palace to see me today?"
"Again?" Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai murmured softly, but he didn't take it to heart and said: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report to Your Majesty, Zhuang Qingzhai. I hope that Your Majesty will be busy and listen to the old minister's chatter."
Zhuang Qingzhai is not young either.
after all.
When Marquis Wu Qiang became the imperial censor, he was earlier than Zhang Tang.
Later, Zhuang Qingzhai was demoted, and Li Cai was promoted to the imperial censor. After two years of good political performance, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty immediately promoted Li Cai to the position of prime minister.
The position of the imperial censor was vacant and was given to Zhang Tang.
Does the position of prime minister require a marquis with sufficient military merit to take office? No, this was not accurate during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
But one thing is for sure!
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, if he wanted to be the prime minister, he must have been a censor before.
It can be said.
The imperial censor is a candidate for prime minister.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, raised his eyebrows after listening to Zhuang Qingzhai's words, as if he felt a little familiar, and asked, "What do you want to say, Prime Minister?"
Hear the words of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
Zhuang Qingzhai immediately gave Zhu Maichen a look behind him.
At this time.
Zhu Maichen immediately took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, what the Prime Minister said was discovered by our three chief historians. I was just afraid that I would not be able to see Your Majesty, so I told the Prime Minister first."
"So Your Majesty."
"Please let me tell you."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty frowned, and he still had a good impression of Zhu Maichen.
Why?
Because this guy was promoted by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty himself.
The old man is brave and ambitious, and his ambition is thousands of miles.
Zhu Maichen did not enter the court as an official until he was over fifty years old, and was subsequently reused by His Majesty. If he had not committed something, Zhu Maichen should still be in the position of Jiuqing.
simply say.
Zhu Maichen's experience was beneficial to the Han Dynasty's rule among the people.
Coupled with the example of "overwhelming water cannot be recovered", Zhu Maichen's reputation spread far and wide, and his majesty has heard of it.
Notice!
Notorious here is a compliment, not a derogatory one.
Why?
Because the story of Zhu Maichen was definitely positive in the Han Dynasty. If he became rich and promoted, he would use a basin of water to humiliate his poor wife, which was a negative image in the Han Dynasty.
How could Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty give him a promotion?
Even reach the position of Jiuqing all the way?
If what Zhu Maichen did was very secretive, then there was no need to mention it. But everyone knows what Zhu Maichen did.
Let’s talk about the story again.
Zhu Maichen used to be poor and his family had no rice, so his wife asked him to cut firewood in exchange for rice. Didn't he go?
He listened to his wife and went to chop it off.
He chopped firewood and read at the same time, and was laughed at because of this.
The wood was chopped and exchanged for rice.
How to understand this process?
It's Zhu Maichen who works at home. He's not lazy, nor is he like Liu Bang who doesn't care about anything at home and leaves it all to his wife and children.
He did something!
Before Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, made his fortune, he really did nothing. He drank and ate meat every day and never took a penny from home.
However, when Liu Bang became the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, his actions were praised as black and white.
Zhu Maichen, who listened to his wife and did things but didn't make any money, became the target of public criticism in later generations?
the most important is!
He listened to his wife and went to chop wood and plant crops, but his wife was not satisfied yet.
If I had to keep talking, I would still argue and get a "divorce" and then marry a carpenter in the more profitable carpentry industry.
Zhu Maichen agreed.
His wife ran away with the carpenter.
Then someone said that after the daughter-in-law followed the carpenter, she continued to take care of Zhu Maichen's daily food. This needs to be verified. After all, there is no historical data to record this.
Let's discuss this as if it's a matter of fact.
What is this phenomenon?
From a modern perspective, this is still his wife's problem.
If you want to run away with someone, then make a clean break with your ex, Zhu Maichen. After you joined the carpenter, why did you care about Zhu Maichen's food?
Can't live with your conscience?
But isn’t this just having a current incumbent and still being disconnected from your ex?
certainly!
It is difficult for modern people to judge the thinking of ancient people.
The issue is.
Later, Zhu Maichen met Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and became famous. Why did he come back to humiliate himself?
If you follow the carpenter, follow the carpenter well!
Then someone else said that after Zhu Maichen rose to prominence, he persecuted the carpenter before letting his wife come back.
I can check the historical data, but there is no record of this.
There is only the allusion that water cannot be recovered.
Regardless of whether Zhu Maichen is right or wrong, one thing is worthy of affirmation. Zhu Maichen's story of being overturned and irreversible must have been a positive image in the Han Dynasty.
If it is negative, it would be difficult to pass the test of promoting filial piety and integrity during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
What does it mean to be filial and honest?
Simply put, it means being filial to your parents and acting with integrity.
Integrity, one correct word is enough to illustrate the positive image of the allusion that it is difficult to recover when water is poured out.
If the image is not correct.
Then Zhu Maichen was promoted to another official.
Of course, we cannot care about the way of thinking of ancient people, because the way of thinking of ancient people and today's people is different.
You’ll know just by watching the new “Fengshen” movie.
What was Daji like in the past? The image of a fairy that brings disaster to the country and the people!
What now?
The innocent, pure and uncontaminated white lotus represents love that lasts until death. It can also rebuke men for imposing any problems on innocent women.
Not to mention comparing with the ancients.
If this statement were made ten or twenty years ago, it would be quite explosive.
You can't say that this image is unreasonable.
He has a point!
What does the demise of a country have to do with a woman? Can Cixi be blamed for the fall of the Qing Dynasty?
This seems really strange.
Ahem.
To put it simply, the above content can prove that Zhu Maichen was quite popular among Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
At the same time, it was also a positive aspect in the Han Dynasty.
so.
At this moment, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was not angry when he heard Zhu Maichen's words. Instead, he nodded and said, "Okay, let me tell you what you want to report!"
When Zhu Maichen heard what Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said, he immediately said: "Wei Chen discovered that Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, was involved in corruption and bribery with businessmen."
"Every time His Majesty issues a new decree, merchants are always the first to know about it. It is Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, who reveals it."
"About that."
"I have arrested Zhang Tang's retainer, businessman Tian Xin, and can confirm this. Your Majesty, please see, this is the confession of businessman Tian Xin."
Finished.
Zhu Maichen submitted the confession written on the slip.
The eunuch handed the slip to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty looked at the slip with no change in his expression.
However.
However, his eyes quietly glanced at Zhang Tang, the imperial censor who was hiding in the corner.
now.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty realized that Zhang Tang's strange behavior just now was originally an imitation of what they were going to say now.
Not to mention exactly the same.
At least to the same degree, Zhang Tang had already acted out what Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai wanted to impeach him.
so.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty no longer had much interest in the contents of the slips.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the other two chief historians behind the prime minister.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said slowly: "Except Zhu Maichen, do you two have anything else to say?"
At this time.
Chao Chao and Biantong stood up together and said: "Your Majesty, the merchant Tian Xin was reviewed by me and three other long officials, so the three of us have the same opinion."
"I second the proposal and hope that your majesty will arrest Zhang Tang immediately and imprison him in the imperial prison."
"I second the proposal!"
After listening to what the other two chief historians said, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty already understood something in his heart. At this time, he looked at the Prime Minister and said: "Prime Minister Zhuang, the matter between Zhang Tang and the merchants, so you only listened to the words of San Changshi and did not actually participate?"
At this time.
Before Zhuang Qingzhai could figure out what was going on, he said: "Your Majesty, the arrest of businessman Tian Xin is an order given by the old minister."
"Zhang Tang bribed businessmen and colluded with officials and businessmen!"
"This is what your Majesty has always hated the most. I have no choice but to do it!"
After hearing what Zhuang Qingzhai said, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che nodded and said slowly: "I understand."
Hear the words.
San Changshi looked happy.
As the prime minister, Zhuang Qingzhai even said: "Your Majesty, are you going to order the Tingwei to arrest Zhang Tang, the imperial censor?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty looked at Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai as if he were a fool.
Subsequently.
He shook his head and said indifferently: "Arrest? Why arrest? That's what people do!"
"Zhang Tang, come out!"
"Look, the Prime Minister has caught you and impeached you for bribing the businessman."
Finished.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty threw the scroll down the hall, and Zhang Tang, who was in the corner, also came out, picked up the scroll, and read it carefully.
The appearance of Zhang Tang.
The prime minister and the three chief ministers were shocked.
Chang Shi Dynasty even exclaimed: "Your Majesty, since Zhang Tang is here, please send guards to arrest him!"
Hear the words.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty just snorted lightly.
Catch Zhang Tang?
Ah!
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che had no such idea. He just stared at Zhang Tang and asked: "Zhang Yushi, do you have an explanation for this businessman's confession?"
Zhang Tang bowed and said, "I am a veteran of swords and pens, and your Majesty knows that."
"This so-called confession, in my opinion, is nothing more than four words!"
"Submission makes a move!"
As soon as these words came out, Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai and the three chief historians immediately criticized him verbally and writtenly.
A slap in the face is indispensable.
Zhang Tang, the censor doctor, had already gained control of the situation and immediately said confidently: "Since we are talking about bribery, there must be a financial transaction."
"In this case."
"Your Majesty, Zhang Tang, please request your Majesty to search your property."
"correct!"
"For a high-ranking official like me, it is difficult to judge whether he has acquired property in terms of money. If there is no comparison, it would be unreasonable. Your Majesty, the old minister suggested that together with Zhu Changshi, Wang Changshi, Bian Changshi and Prime Minister Zhuang, search the property Enough."
However.
As soon as these words came out.
The Prime Minister and the Third Chief Minister quickly objected, saying: "Your Majesty, no!"
"This piece of soup is nothing more than trying to gain support. There are different priorities in buying a property and different family wealth. How can we generalize it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You can't listen to Zhang Tang. He just wants to muddy the water."
To this.
Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, was as stable as an old dog in his heart, and said to Han Wu Emperor Liu Che: "Your Majesty, you see, they are in a hurry!" (End of this chapter)
