When Zhu Youtang left the palace, he naturally wanted to get in touch with some different things.
He also wants to live a normal life.
What Zhang Zhou had to do was to satisfy the emperor's alternative spiritual needs. This kind of food was like whole grains. It was okay to eat occasionally, but he would definitely not be able to bear it if he had to eat it all the time.
"...I can't tell you what the omens of heaven are, and I can't say them."
"But if Your Majesty is worried, why don't I explain it in detail to Your Majesty when things are about to happen and the signs are clearer?"
Originally, Zhu Youtang thought Zhang Zhou could explain why.
The result was just perfunctory.
Zhu Youtang sighed: "I also know not to be too impatient, but if this is bigger than the earthquake, then I will... alas!"
The emperor is also most afraid of being teased.
Xiao Jing on the side also persuaded: "Mr. Zhang, you were so good at predicting things before, can't you reveal more?"
Zhang Zhou shook his head.
Now Zhu Youtang could no longer forcefully ask.
When Zhang Zhou went out to arrange the project for the storyteller, Xiao Jing did not forget to remind Zhu Youtang: "Your Majesty, this Mr. Zhang has always been straightforward. Maybe it's just Eunuch Dai who is overly concerned."
"I hope so." Zhu Youtang said, "I don't want the Zhang family to be associated with God's warning..."
Xiao Jing understood immediately.
The emperor was also afraid that the Zhang brothers would "follow in the footsteps" of Li Guang. Li Guang, the biggest worm in the Ming Dynasty, was killed because of God's warning. The emperor also knew how much he indulged the Zhang brothers. If this was involved again... …
…
…
Zhu Youtang did not spend the night at Zhang Zhou's house that night.
He went to the nearest official office.
After returning to the palace the next day, Zhu Youtang rested in the back hall of Qianqing Palace.
Dai Yi hurriedly called Xiao Jing to the duty room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies. At this time, Xiao Jing looked tired.
"...Mr. Zhang didn't specify what happened?"
Dai Yi was also a little surprised after knowing what happened last night.
If Zhang Zhou wants to interfere in the emperor's family affairs, then this is the best opportunity. What better opportunity than the emperor coming to inquire in person?
Xiao Jing said: "Mr. Zhang really didn't say anything about those two hexagrams. But vaguely... I can still feel that this matter is related to relatives of the Zhang family."
Dai Yi shook his head and said: "If the Zhang family brothers did something wrong, God has a warning. Unless the next lightning strikes the Zhang family house or the ancestral hall, otherwise... it will easily burn the victim."
"Eunuch Dai means..."
Xiao Jing thought about it.
Dai Yi patted him on the shoulder: "Isn't Mr. Zhang afraid that this association will harm himself?"
Xiao Jing completely understood now.
Everyone would think that the fire in Qingning Palace was God's warning to the emperor that he should not trust Li Guang, and that the fault was Li Guang's fault.
If the next omen is also such a non-directional event, such as another attack on the Qing Palace, wouldn't others then say that this is because the emperor favored Zhang Zhou?
By then, Zhang Zhouke would be trapped in a cocoon!
…
…
The Lantern Festival is over.
The ten-day holiday for the courtiers ended, and that day was the first day after the morning dynasty resumed.
In the court hall, the courtiers had no restrictions and immediately opened fire on Zhu Youtang.
Two things.
One is to prepare for war in the northwest, and the other is that Peng Quan, the commander of the Jianchang Guard, participated in the impeachment of Zhang Yanling and was sentenced to prison.
Peng Quan just issued an order. People estimate that they have just started on the road. From Shu to the capital, even if they are in a hurry, a month will be enough.
The civil servants were very fond of military generals like Peng Quan who dared to rebuke him. A lot of them spoke for him in the court, and some ministers directly complained in the court about the Zhang brothers' misdeeds in the past two years...
In the past, Zhu Youtang would get angry after hearing this.
This time he listened... and felt that this was a repertoire reserved for ministers, a traditional performing arts project, so it was not surprising.
Anyway, if you have nothing to do, just set up a target and hit it yourself?
Zhu Youtang was thinking that compared with Zhang Zhou's, the pattern of literati seemed a bit petty.
Looking at Bingkuan, he clearly had the opportunity to attack the Zhang family, but he didn't say a word about it.
Zhu Youtang was not worried about another thing that the ministers talked about, which was preparations for war in the northwest. On the contrary, he was a little "pleased".
Previously, the emperor was a little annoyed because Liu Jian greeted the ministers, but the ministers kept silent about it.
Now that the emperor understood clearly, Liu Jian probably just asked the ministers not to talk about it at the court meeting before the funeral, so as to prevent the situation from becoming known to outsiders and disrupting the emperor's layout in the northwest...
Although I still have concerns about this now, it is much better than before.
"My dear lords, the strengthening of defense in Xuanfu Town is the result of my consideration. If you have any objections to this, I will not blame you. However, if you have something to do, you will only talk about it in the court. After you withdraw from the court, no one is allowed to discuss it. What else? If you have any questions, please submit them to me and I will personally answer them!"
Zhu Youtang deliberately described Piantou Pass as Xuanfu, but in fact he was also disturbing the audience.
He also reminded the ministers present.
I don’t blame you for mentioning it here.
But if someone in the imperial court says something that eventually leads to the Ming Dynasty’s preparations for war being leaked, I will definitely hold them accountable.
The ministers did not take it seriously.
If it really leaks out, the Tatars will not come, which is exactly what we want.
By then, even if you are the emperor, you will be able to find out who is responsible for this? So many people know it anyway!
Tu Fu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, came out and said: "Your Majesty, it is said that some alchemists made false claims and mentioned the military situation in the northwest, so the imperial court was ordered to strengthen its vigilance. Please also ask your Majesty to send this person to prison for questioning to see if there is any ulterior motive!"
Zhu Youtang frowned upon hearing this.
You Tujun just got a scar, but he forgot about the pain.
I didn't hold you accountable for your flirting with Li Guang before, and now you actually want me to look into Bingkuan, whom I trust?
In order to show off the so-called civil servants' direct admonishment, you, Tu Yu, went a little too far! Previously, Bingkuan interceded, so I didn’t pursue you eunuchs!
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "Do you still remember that before the earthquake in Henan, I said that you should not use so-called evil words to punish people in advance? You can't wait until it happens before making a decision? What's more... there is a person who can accurately predict earthquakes. Even if I occasionally listen to his advice, what's wrong with it?"
"ah!"
The ministers present were in an uproar.
The emperor said this, which was equivalent to indirectly admitting that it was indeed because he believed the alchemist's words that there was a series of military movements in the northwest.
Could it be that the Ming Dynasty has reached the point where it wants to listen to the Taoist priests and make military arrangements?
This is not a disaster for the country and the people, what else can it be called?
"His Majesty……"
The group of scientific officials suddenly became excited, and six or seven people were about to come out and kneel down to remonstrate.
Zhu Youtang said sternly: "That's enough!"
This sound was like a loud bell, and its intimidation was several notches higher than the previous weak words.
"Have I sent troops to the northwest, or have my troops changed defenses? The northwest is just defending against foreign barbarians as usual, and why do you need you to remind us? This matter ends here!"
The emperor didn't bother to explain to this group of people.
Even people like Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian had concerns when they first knew that he was going to carry out the military layout in the northwest based on Zhang Zhou's suggestions. But later, with their foresight, they also saw that this was just the normal operation of the northwest military and political system. .
Wang Yue did not send troops. Why should the emperor fully adopt the ministers' opinions on the development and defense of the northwest?
But this group of censors seemed to only see the clause "the emperor listens to the words of the alchemists" and did not see the deeper intention behind it.
So the emperor was impatient.
Liu Jian, as the chief assistant, was silent for a whole time. At this time, he finally couldn't help but come out and said: "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of Peng Quan, the commander of Jianchang Guard, please give your Majesty another thought. If he is allowed to come to Beijing easily, Xichuan's defense cannot be strengthened, I'm afraid it will..."
Zhu Youtang said: "I just brought him to the capital for questioning. Does Liu Ge always want to intercede on his behalf?"
Liu Jiandao: "If someone reports someone else's crime, your Majesty will jail the person who made the report without asking the reason. I'm afraid that it will... encourage their evildoing."
Zhu Youtang asked: "Does it fit with your intention if I also imprison Jianchang Bo? Let's stop here today..."
…
…
Originally, that day was the first court meeting after vacation, and there were many important matters to be discussed.
But because of the Northwest Army and Peng Quan's report on Zhang Yanling, this court meeting ended in failure.
It seems that the relationship between the monarch and his ministers is not happy, but it is nothing.
After the court meeting, as expected, the three cabinet ministers were surrounded by a group of ministers. Now no one seemed to want to leave, and they all wanted to know Liu Jian's guidance on these two matters.
Li Dongyang said: "If you have any opinions, please report more and speak less, and your opinions will all be heard by the Holy Spirit."
Xie Qian also smiled and said: "When you leave this Wumen Gate, just pretend it didn't happen."
Tu Jian asked: "What about Peng Quan, the commander of the Jianchang Guards? He just submitted a report to impeach Jianchang Bo for his crimes. Why should he be punished and held accountable?"
Li Dongyang glanced at him. Although he didn't say it clearly, he meant, don't you know why he was imprisoned?
Who do you think Jianchang Bo participated in the impeachment if he could?
We haven't done anything to the Zhang brothers yet. He is a military general as big as a sesame seed and a mung bean from Jianchangwei. What can he do and pretend to be cool?
"By your Majesty's move, doesn't it mean that no matter what kind of evildoes the government does in the future, others will just let it go?"
"Yes! We can't let this happen again!"
"Jointly petition your Majesty to pardon Peng Quan's crime and investigate the Zhang family's relatives!"
A group of people went out in anger. Liu Jian looked over there and saw a group of officials who had just entered the court a few years ago.
The backbone is there, but the pattern still cannot be opened.
The group of people finally dispersed.
Before they could even take a few steps out of the Meridian Gate, General Secretary Yuan Shouzhi appeared in front of the three cabinet ministers with some concern.
"Liang Bi, what's the matter?" Liu Jian asked.
Yuan Shouzhi deliberately waited until a group of people had walked out and there was no one around to listen before he said: "Last night, the Director of Ceremonies just transferred a batch of memorials from the General Affairs Department. One of them was Jiang Rong, a student of the Imperial College... who impeached three cabinet ministers. The old... blocked the way of speech. It is said that... His Majesty sent Jiang Rong to prison last night..."
"What?"
Liu Jian was stunned on the spot when he heard this.
Just now I was mentioning to the emperor that the reporter cannot be interrogated just because someone reports someone else’s wrongdoing.
Now, people in their cabinet are also involved in this kind of thing, and they instantly become perpetrators.
(End of chapter)
