Zhang Jiazheng was about to bow down and agree, when he saw Zhang Juzheng getting up and leaving work out of the corner of his eye. He immediately took two steps back and stood behind the dragon chair. Emperor Wanli also saw Zhang Juzheng getting up, and felt unhappy in his heart! Because he knew that Zhang Juzheng got up at this time, probably to stop him from pursuing the investigation!
In fact, Zhang Juzheng did think so. Now his reform plan is reaching a critical juncture, and the Ministry of Household Affairs is particularly important to him, so he must not let the Ministry of Household Affairs have problems at this time! The Ministry of War was also needed to maintain stability, so although he knew that this would offend Emperor Wanli, he still stood up to stop it.
Normally, when Emperor Wanli saw Zhang Juzheng getting up, he would be the first to ask him what his opinion was, but today Emperor Wanli did not speak, and just looked at Zhang Juzheng indifferently.
Zhang Juzheng naturally ignored his gaze and only heard him say calmly: "Your Majesty, Master Guo and Master Ma are both very young. They have been kneeling on the ground for a long time. I am afraid of hurting their bodies. Please allow them to get up." !」
Emperor Wanli was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "Yes!"
Although Guo Xiaoxing and Ma Yunqi heard a lot of reluctance from Emperor Wanli's word "quasi", they couldn't care less at this time! It had been almost half an hour since the two of them knelt down after leaving work. Tan Mo's knees, nourished by glory and wealth, could no longer bear it!
So without Emperor Wanli having to say it twice, they had already struggled to stand up and gratefully bowed their hands to Zhang Juzheng. As for the few ministers kneeling beside them, the minister and others couldn't care less.
When they stood up, they heard Zhang Juzheng continue to say: "Your Majesty, the matter has been investigated almost now. It seems that there is nothing else involved. It is just a temporary oversight by the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War! If we continue to investigate further, I am afraid that there will be injuries. I have defeated all the ministers! How about asking them to find a way to raise a sum of money as soon as possible to repay their salaries? What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Wanli was silent for a moment and then said loudly: "Mr. Zhang, an army of tens of thousands has not been paid for seven or eight months. This is not a small matter! And sir, he also knows that if this army mutinied, the Ming Dynasty's maritime borders would never have peace. Yes, it is not impossible to corrupt Jiangnan! So I feel it is necessary to check and see if there is any corruption in it?"
Zhang Juzheng nodded and said: "Your Majesty is right, this matter should indeed be investigated! How about letting Dali Temple be responsible for the investigation? What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Wanli said slowly: "Sir, wouldn't it be better for Dongchang to investigate? I think Dongchang should be able to investigate this kind of thing. After all, it is just the whereabouts of some money."
Zhang Juzheng bowed slightly and said: "There is no need to work Zhang Banban for this matter! If we were to investigate the case alone, Dali Temple would be more suitable. And using Dali Temple for a thorough investigation is also in line with the court rules!"
Emperor Wanli fell silent after hearing this, and all the courtiers looked at the master and apprentice nervously! The civil servants naturally hope that Dali Temple will get the power to investigate the case. After all, they are all their own people there, so it is easy to do anything! And they are even more afraid that Dongchang will take this opportunity to become stronger again!
As for Emperor Wanli, he absolutely does not believe that the group of people kneeling below are innocent! But Zhang Juzheng stood up, which meant that the civil servants were united again! It also means that if he doesn't want to completely break up with the civil servants, he must give in!
However, Emperor Wanli had learned a lot about government affairs at this time, and knew that concession did not mean unconditional concession, even when facing Mr. Zhang! He must get something in exchange for his concession! So he relaxed his body and said: "Mr. Zhang, just now we were studying Li Yushi's impeachment of Wu Ningbo, but now we accidentally turned to the investigation of the case. How about this, put their matters aside for now , let’s deal with Wu Ningbo’s affairs first and then talk about it.”
Zhang Juzheng naturally understood it, and at the same time he was a little happy that his students had made such progress! But I don’t know if it’s because I feel a little sour in my heart. However, he still bowed and said: "Your Majesty said yes, I obey your orders!"
After speaking, Zhang Juzheng returned to his seat and continued to sit there with his eyes slightly closed, as if he had forgotten what was happening in front of him. Emperor Wanli waved his hand, signaling Zhang Jia to escort the group of people kneeling in the middle of the ground, and then said to Liu Haojia: "Uncle Wu Ning, just now you
I have admitted all the charges Li Yushi impeached you for, and also explained the reasons. However, although there is a reason, in order to maintain the laws of the imperial court, I will also punish you! "
Liu Haojia immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please punish me!"
Emperor Wanli tapped the imperial case with his fingers and said: "Let's fine you half a year's salary! Next time you do something, think carefully before doing it, so as not to get caught in the pigtails again!"
When the courtiers heard this, they all knew that it was raised high and then lowered gently! So they felt a lot more relaxed. And with Liu Haojia's punishment at the bottom, people from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War will not be punished too severely.
But when Li Xiupeng heard this, his heart dropped! He knows Liu Haojia very well. Although he is not a person who must take revenge, he will never let his enemy go! Now that Liu Haojia is fine, his next counterattack target must be himself!
In order to avoid this situation from happening, Li Xiupeng hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the first few charges are justified, but his tampering with the military system and giving double pay to soldiers is a real crime! And he clearly knew that the pay was Even though it is not enough, he still gives double pay to the soldiers. What is his purpose for doing this? Your Majesty, please investigate carefully!"
Emperor Wanli looked at Liu Haojia and said, "What did you say?"
Liu Haojia said disdainfully: "Your Majesty, there is a kind of person who clearly knows nothing, but pretends to know everything and dares to point fingers at anything! The result is that it is better if he doesn't speak, but bad things will happen if he opens his mouth ! So, they can only be censors in this life!"
The courtiers burst into laughter when they heard this, and the censors were naturally furious! Especially Li Xiupeng was furious and said sternly: "It's no use even if you slander others! The military regulations of the Ming Dynasty clearly stated the amount of monthly pay for soldiers, but you paid double the pay to the soldiers. This is Those who violate the rules should be punished!"
Liu Haojia laughed and said, "Really? I just don't know when the military discipline you are talking about is?"
Li Xiupeng sneered and said: "Uncle Wu Ning, don't try to take advantage of any loopholes! You must know that when Emperor Taizu was here, he only used military households and did not recruit soldiers! So it was only in the past few decades that the Ming Dynasty started recruiting soldiers. Things, so the requirements for recruiting soldiers are kept in detail, you can’t escape this one!”
