The next day, the court meeting was officially held.
This is still a new thing for many officials in the court - they have never seen the emperor since they joined the office!
Since the fifteenth year of Wanli, the emperor has rarely gone to court. He once held a court meeting because of the Korean War, so that the ministers could see the beauty of the sky, but then he lived in seclusion in the palace for several years.
The sudden convening of the court meeting was beyond the expectations of the court officials. Many people speculated that it was probably to put an end to the demon book incident that had been causing a lot of noise recently.
The ministers entered the palace with their own thoughts in mind and saw the emperor.
Wanli was sitting on the dragon throne. Twenty-nine years had made him a little older, but overall he was still in good spirits. As the eunuchs came to court and shouted, the court meeting officially began.
The first thing to be discussed was the way to deal with the participants in the demon book case - not only the Gu brothers but also Gu Boyang, some other high-ranking figures in Donglin Academy, so-called "gentlemen", and others in other towns. Some of the scholar-bureaucrats who responded to Gu Xiancheng have been arrested one after another by the Jin Yiwei.
The Minister of Punishment walked out of the team and played:
"Your Majesty, after the joint trial of the three judicial officers, they unanimously agreed that Gu Xiancheng, Gu Yuncheng, and Gu Boyang had deceived the public with their evil words and had ulterior motives. They were accused of treason and should be executed prematurely. Several people in Donglin criticized the imperial court and helped Gu Xiancheng. Qiu Hou will be beheaded; the rest of the gang will be sentenced to imprisonment and other punishments."
There is no problem with this verdict. Even though some of them are even famous scholars, no one thinks it is inappropriate.
Ever since Gu Xiancheng wrote the four words "The Merit of Sheji" in the letter, this incident has become a dead end for who touches and who dies. Because based on this sentence alone, if not investigated, it can be said to be lying, but if investigated, it can be directly traced to treason.
What's more, it has caused such a big political turmoil for both the government and the opposition. There is no problem at all with this verdict.
After listening to this, Wan Li opened his mouth and said:
"I think this verdict is somewhat inappropriate."
Hearing this, the expressions of the ministers below could not help but tremble.
Could it be that His Majesty is still not satisfied and wants to involve more people?
As if not seeing the eyes of the ministers, Wanli said slowly:
"Gu Xiancheng, Gu Yuncheng, and Gu Boyang deserved their punishment, and the sentence remains unchanged. Several people from Donglin, many of whom did not know about it, and many of whom were former ministers of the court, I exempted them from death and sent them to Liaodong for exile. The other gentry, I thought, If they are deceived and there is no real sign of rebellion, they will be punished and reprimanded, and each person will be fined five thousand taels of silver."
ah?
After the words fell, the officials looked at each other in shock.
Although five thousand taels is a lot, who can be a great Confucian would lack yellow and white things? As for reprimanding...the effect of that thing is the same as the "preparation homework" in school.
Although this was a huge amount of blood, it was really too light compared to the punishment he committed.
Wanli is not a generous guy, how could he?
Looking at the doubtful looks of the ministers, Wanli couldn't help but snorted coldly:
"Thanks to King Fu for interceding for them, otherwise, those who spread rumors and cause trouble, I would have to send them down to accompany that Gu Xiancheng!"
So that’s it!
No matter what purpose King Fu had, being able to speak for his enemies was enough to win the favor of many people. You must know that these great scholars have certain connections with many officials in the court.
These words made these officials accept King Fu's affection.
Then, another arranged official came out of the team and reported:
"Your Majesty, among the current imperial examination candidates, there are many accomplices who follow Gu Boyang. They even overstepped their authority and often criticized the court officials afterwards... How should we deal with it?"
"Your Majesty, it was the students who took the lead in responding to the sinner, causing everyone to violate the law and arrogantly overstep the rules... The disciples were just bewitched by me and Gu Boyang, and it is not the fault of the disciples. Your Majesty, please be careful!"
Zhang Yicheng came out from the side, kowtowed on the ground vigorously, and said loudly, taking away all the mistakes in his words.
If this were true, he would also end up being beheaded!
Wanli's expression did not change at all, and he said calmly:
"Everyone, let's discuss this."
The courtiers below looked at each other.
Being able to bring this matter to court already represents the emperor's attitude. Otherwise, if you really want to be regarded as Gu Boyang's accomplices, why bother to mobilize forces like this? Just press the signatures listed above, and no one will be able to escape.
And Zhang Yicheng will not have the opportunity to stand up and speak at this time.
The ministers of the current dynasty are all very good at it. It is a basic skill to figure out the superior intention.
So soon someone stood up and said:
"I think that after all, the candidates are young and passionate, and although they are bewitched by others, they are doing it for the imperial court, so they are excusable... Although Zhang Yicheng is guilty of responding, he is not the culprit after all. I think that a fine of silver and reprimand will It’s more appropriate.”
Several more ministers stood up, and they all said the same thing.
Wanli nodded slightly on the throne:
"In that case, Zhang Yicheng!"
"Because you and everyone else were deceived and felt repentant afterwards, I will be given a lighter sentence today!"
"You must remember today's commandment!"
"If you do it again, you will be severely punished!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yicheng raised his head dully and looked at Emperor Wanli.
He originally thought that he would be dead now, but he didn't expect that the emperor only gave him such a light punishment. This can almost be said to have pardoned his crime!
He suddenly knocked his head hard on the ground twice and said loudly:
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
For the sons, this was a token of pardon. They no longer had to worry about being arrested by the court. How could he not be happy?
However, from the perspective of the courtiers below, this matter is not that simple.
The reason why Wanli ordered Zhang Yicheng to go to court and give him a lighter sentence was to send a signal to the world.
This is a response to the concerns and concerns of those who have supported Gu Xiancheng: As long as you are willing to admit your mistakes, you will be forgiven by the emperor just like Zhang Yicheng.
After all, when it was at its peak, almost everyone from north to south supported Gu Xiancheng's remarks. Even if Wanli wanted to, he couldn't catch all of them! If we really take action, the gentry and landlords, the cornerstone of the Ming Dynasty, will probably rebel directly.
You should forgive when you should forgive, which is similar to how Cao Cao burned the letters between his subordinates and Yuan Shao after the Guandu War.
However, Wanli's words also imply another meaning:
If you still persist in your stubbornness and stand up and say something inappropriate, then you will be punished as Gu Xiancheng's comrade.
The ministers understood, with a hidden light shining in their eyes.
The families behind him can finally feel at ease.
(End of chapter)
