Shen Shixing also saw the article. He squinted his eyes and looked at the article, not knowing what he was thinking.
On the side, his son Shen Yongmao said angrily:
"Father, this man is so bold. He even dares to slander you! What about 'waiting for the opportunity'? He is so bold and criticizes an important member of the court. I will immediately report to His Majesty to request a thorough investigation into the matter and punish him. A serious crime!"
When Shen Shixing heard the words, he shook his head slightly and stopped what he said.
“This is more than just an article.”
"Someone wants to muddy the water and create trouble. Oh, even supporting King Rong may not be his real purpose... Unfortunately, your Majesty is not a fool." Shen Shixing put down the article in his hand and said calmly:
"Don't pay attention. His Majesty will be even more angry than us when he sees this. This is a challenge to his authority."
"But, father, things are getting bigger and bigger now. Not only in the capital, but also in Nanjing and some big cities, the news is spreading wildly! Scholars everywhere now say that you are trying to please His Majesty for your own personal gain, regardless of Etiquette, saying you are not worthy, not worthy..."
Shen Yongmao couldn't say any more, but you can imagine what vicious words those scholars who like to form cliques would say.
This is still Shen Shixing. In fact, he has not clearly stood on the side of King Fu and tried his best to make a "harmony" appearance on the surface. It is conceivable that once he has made his horse clear like Yan Chenhao, he will How much criticism will be received.
The price to pay for going against tradition and rules is huge.
But Shen Shixing's expression did not change at all.
From the moment he stood on Wanli's side, he knew that he would definitely face criticism and tremendous pressure, and he was already prepared for it. These rumors would not cause any fluctuations in his heart.
And once King Fu succeeds in taking the throne, the rewards brought by the hardships along the way will be unimaginable.
"Let them go!"
He drank tea lightly with a smile on his lips:
"You must remember not to make any moves. At such an important moment, there can be no mistakes or omissions."
Seeing his son nodding to indicate that he had taken note of it, he turned around and said to Yan Qihua, who had been silently serving tea to the two father and son:
"Qihua, His Majesty has ordered that the concubine be allowed to visit the bride... You have made good friends with Zheng Guotai's wife. Take this opportunity to meet the concubine and comfort the concubine Zheng. I heard that she touched the pillar in grief and anger today. This is very good. Let's If she cries more to His Majesty, it would be better to direct the issue to the side where someone intends to use Shihlin's pressure to 'force' His Majesty to submit."
"In addition, King Fu must be cautious in his words and deeds in recent days, and just read and write carefully."
"If I'm not wrong, Chen Guogong's Mansion will take action soon..."
His words were cold and sophisticated, with no unnecessary emotions, and only the means to achieve political goals. As a seasoned politician, Shen Shixing did not care about gaining the emperor's sympathy by committing misfortune at certain moments.
The harem is an important place that ordinary people cannot enter, but it is a good opportunity to visit relatives. Wanli was also very worried when something like this happened to Concubine Zheng, so he approved Concubine Zheng to go home to visit her relatives. This was a good time to exchange information. Although the eunuchs could also pass on the news, it was not as profound and memorable as oral narration. secret.
…
Similar to the performance of Shen Shixing and his son, the ministers at this time were more silent.
They are not fools and know the pros and cons.
Many of the words in "Worry and Risk Hongyi" actually come from their own minds, and some people even actually think so. But if they were to speak out and publicly stand up to express their support, it would not be possible. dare.
There is no fool who can walk to the court. The emperor has been angered by this article. This is undoubtedly a challenge to the emperor's authority. The ministers all realize that once they speak out, they are likely to be targeted by the already furious emperor. The outcome is not just dismissal from office and returning home. So simple.
Therefore, it was obviously a good opportunity to ask King Li Rong to be the crown prince, but none of the ministers dared to go to court. Even the most foolish ones kept their mouths tightly shut and watched the development of the situation coldly.
But the people and scholars did not pay so much attention to it.
People in Shilin either no longer have official positions or their official careers are not going well. These people are very fierce in discussing government affairs, and because they have no official positions and no official positions to lose, they naturally speak much bolder.
After all, the law does not punish the public, and Wanli cannot block the mouth of Youyou in the world, so he has no scruples. Therefore, they all took this opportunity to criticize the emperor's behavior of doting on the youngest son and neglecting the eldest son, and even started to discuss "Worry and Crisis" Those "culprits" mentioned in "Hong Yi".
There is no essential difference between Shilin's discussion and the village aunt's. In a very short period of time, those "culprits" have been criticized verbally and written, and their reputations have been ruined.
Even those who supported Concubine Zheng, such as Shen Shixing and Yan Chenhao, or who did not clearly express their attitude and held high positions but were on both ends of the spectrum, were listed together as the "Ten Evils."
As for the public opinion among the people, it has always been controlled by Shilin. The common people have always believed that "whatever the gentleman says must be what it is", and naturally they are all on the side of Shilin.
Suddenly, public opinion arose, what:
"Prince Fu, relying on the emperor's favor, acted domineeringly, had a cruel temper, and abused his servants. However, although Prince Rong was not favored by His Majesty, he was courteous and courteous and was loved by the palace people."
What "Your Majesty wants to establish a blessed king, but he is violating the etiquette, happiness and heavenly timing. God will definitely punish him. The disasters suffered by the Ming Dynasty in recent years are related to this."
What's more, the claim that Concubine Zheng is the reincarnation of the demon fox who confuses His Majesty and brings trouble to the court has a nose and an eye. It is actually very marketable and is believed by the people.
Suddenly, public opinion surged, and a huge wave arose among scholars and the people. The people discussed the government affairs on a large scale and pointed their swords at several ministers in the court. This was a phenomenon that had not happened in the hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
The direction of the "Wei Wei Hong Yi" is also extremely clear. Although the officials did not say it with their mouths, they were excited in their hearts. If they could use public opinion to force the emperor to submit and make Prince Rong the crown prince, this would It’s not a bad thing!
I don’t know which talented person wrote it. I really want to thank him!
But the instigator that the courtiers were talking about was silently hiding in the dark and watching this scene, with a smile on his face, a little sinister, but full of ambition.
"When I was in the court, I was able to influence the political situation. Now even if I am dismissed from office and come to the people, I can still control the world with my commoner body!"
(End of chapter)
