Zhu Youtang did not show Ma Zhongxi's memorial to impeach Zhang Zhou to the cabinet, so there was no need for a cabinet vote.
Anyway, Zhu Youtang has already made up his mind.
Previously, Ma Yi's matter did not directly involve Zhang Zhou, so Zhu Youtang might have discussed it with the ministers. Now that it has been involved... there is no need to discuss it.
But it was in the afternoon that Dai Yi was asked to say hello to the cabinet.
It probably means...
It's up to you to decide what to do in the future.
On the second day of the court meeting, which was the day Zhang Zhou said he would pray for rain, Zhu Youtang was already preparing to go to Qianqing Palace before dawn.
"It's a nice day."
Zhu Youtang came out of Qianqing Palace, looked up at the gray sky and said.
Xiao Jing heard this and said: "Your Majesty, it was cloudy last night, but it has been cloudy lately and no rain has fallen. There are still people in the city talking about asking your Majesty to pray for rain again."
"People can't be without rules." Dai Yi reprimanded, "How can we always expect His Majesty to pray for rain?"
"well!"
Zhu Youtang smiled as if he was laughing at himself.
Although I didn't say it clearly, the expression on my face probably meant that if I really had the ability to control the wind and rain, I wouldn't mind praying a few more times, but the problem is... I don't know how.
If I want to know which cloud will make it rain, I don't need to be an emperor, but a god.
…
…
In front of Fengtian Hall.
The ministers were preparing to meet the saint. It was a hot day, but they saw that Zhang Mao was bringing an umbrella.
Only one.
As soon as Zhang Mao arrived, Xie Qian greeted him with a smile: "Are you waiting for the rain? It said it was in Xuanfu, not in the capital. Did the British Lord prepare for the wrong place?"
The emperor greeted the cabinet and mentioned Ma Zhongxi's participation in the impeachment of Zhang Zhou. The cabinet would also explain it in advance before the court meeting, so that at least the censor would have an idea.
Zhang Mao laughed and said: "In this hot summer, this old man is no better than a young man. It is good to bring an umbrella to block the wind and rain, but to block the sun."
"Ha ha."
Many people are laughing.
The Wu Xuns around Zhang Mao all felt a little self-hatred.
It seems that he still hasn't realized it. If he had known better, he would have brought an umbrella. This is not to keep in step with Zhang Mao, but to cater to the holy will.
They are all thinking, Old Man Zhang is still good at playing.
…
…
Umbrellas are made of wood and cannot be brought into the temple. Jinwu guards will take them to the side.
After the court meeting started.
The ministers were talking step by step, and neither the monarch nor his ministers deliberately mentioned the affairs of Zhang Zhou and Xuan Mansion.
But halfway through the court meeting, thunder came from outside.
"boom……"
This sound came a bit suddenly, not above the head, but still very loud.
When Zhu Youtang heard the thunder, he seemed to be in high spirits, and said with great satisfaction: "My lords, I don't know if anyone has told me that Bingkuan has arrived at Xuanfu, and before entering the city, he saw that the drought around Xuanfu was serious. He said that he would open an altar in front of the city gate today to pray for rain."
The ministers present looked at each other.
Liu Jian walked out and said: "Your Majesty, the court should set up an altar for rain prayers, how can it be left to others to do it without authorization? What's more, if it involves God's will and other matters, especially those involving the capital, it should only be issued by His Majesty. .”
In fact, Liu Jian seemed to be picking on Zhang Zhou out of thin air, but he was actually more reminding Zhu Youtang.
Your Majesty... It seems that you personally prayed for rain before. If Zhang Zhou succeeds in praying for rain this time, wouldn't it mean to tell others... Zhang Zhou was behind your back to cheat last time?
So no matter what, we can't let him go.
No matter whether it's going to rain or not, as long as he doesn't come out and pretend to be the one who calls the shots, the people won't make any wild guesses, and your identity as the destined prince will not be doubted.
Zhu Youtang frowned and said, "You're just praying for rain, but you still have to issue an order from me? So, if there is a drought everywhere in the future, the government will just sit back and ignore it?"
Throughout the dynasties, when there was a drought, the government would come forward to carry out activities such as offering sacrifices to the Dragon King Temple to complete the rain praying ceremony. These were measures to calm the people, and there was no need to report to the court for everything.
Does the emperor mean that if praying for rain requires an edict from the emperor, then even worshiping the Dragon King Temple or the River God can be stopped directly? Those are all awesome ways to fool ignorant people and make them obey the teachings. How can the traditions that have been handed down for thousands of years be changed just because of Zhang Zhou?
"Rumble..."
As he was talking, it was thundering outside again.
But it’s just thunder but no rain.
The light in the hall was a little dim, Zhu Youtang signaled, and then Dai Yi ordered someone to hold the lamp.
The most proud person in the hall right now is Zhang Mao.
Even Zhu Youtang couldn't help but look at him and said: "British Sir, I heard that you came with an umbrella, what do you think?"
Zhu Youtang felt that it was not appropriate for him to speak to Zhang Zhou, so he should find someone who knew how to assess the situation and let Mr. Zhang come out to be "shameless".
Zhang Mao raised the wat board and said, "Your Majesty, I'm just being prepared and don't have much thoughts. I'm old and always like to do some cautious things. I hope Your Majesty won't blame you."
The ministers present were all thinking after hearing this, that you are indeed "cautious", but instead of bringing rain gear to court, you are making small moves to please the emperor.
Zhu Youtang said: "Let's not talk about praying for rain. Originally, Bingkuan didn't say that he was praying for rain in the capital. If he is in the capital now, it would be fine. But who knows whether there is rain in Xuanfu?"
When the ministers heard this, they thought it was so fucking reasonable.
What are we grieving about here? Why should we feel sorry for ourselves?
Does it have anything to do with Zhang Zhou whether it rains or not in the capital?
Besides, what Zhang Zhou said was to pray for rain today. Even if it is raining in Xuan Mansion at this moment, Zhang Zhou's rain praying ceremony has not started yet, right? Can this be regarded as something Zhang Zhou asked for?
"Let's just talk about the case of Ma Yi, the deputy chief military officer of the Xuanfu. How should we deal with it?" Zhu Youtang said, "Department of Punishment!"
Bai Ang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, came out and said, "Your Majesty, the case has been brought to court and there are no obvious omissions. If the case cannot be tried in the Xuanfu area, the person should be handed over to the Department of Justice for a final sentence."
Just say that we stand with Ma Zhongxi and agree to hand Ma Yi over to justice.
Zhu Youtang said: "But now that the Xuanfu is employing people, it would be inappropriate to temporarily change the deputy commander-in-chief. I would like to leave this matter to Bingkuan to decide on his own to see if he can stay in the army first. Let’s discuss the matter after the war is over.”
Not to mention meritorious service, the emperor obviously did not want to characterize Ma Yi's case.
Saying that one has done meritorious service is equivalent to saying that Ma Yi is guilty.
Bai Ang didn't know how to answer.
In the northwest, if a general is guilty and the military situation is urgent, there is a saying that "the thief will be killed without being arrested and interrogated."
However, it is only for general offenses that are detrimental to the defense of the enemy. For someone like Ma Yi, who was directly accused at the governor level and had clear evidence of corruption and bending the law, it does not seem to be applicable to the precedent of making meritorious deeds.
Bai Ang could have objected originally, but now the emperor obviously wanted to protect Zhang Zhou because of his return to protect the horse. To object would be to openly challenge the emperor... Those censors may not care, but he Bai Ang... ...Like Xu Qiong, he is not in the traditional civil service camp, so he doesn't really want to be a thorn in the side.
Li Dongyang saw this posture, how could you, a minister of the Ministry of Justice, be so unprincipled on this issue?
He came out and said: "Your Majesty, I would like to report to Ma Zhongxi, the governor of the Xuanfu, that Ma Yi, during his tenure as the general military officer, committed excessive taxation and had the evil behavior of a private soldier. We should not tolerate it. This person is the same as the new Xuanfu and Datong. The commander-in-chief is Zhang Zhou, and the governor should not use the military situation as an excuse to protect him."
He was reminding the emperor.
Your Majesty, one piece belongs to us.
If you want to go to Zhang Zhou, we have no objection. After all, this guy just went to Xuan Mansion and hasn’t done anything outrageous yet. We don’t have any big objections to him, or we can’t find fault with him.
The question is, this Ma Yi had nothing to do with Zhang Zhou before. Just because Ma Yi went to visit Zhang Zhou when he was being hunted and returned to the Xuan Mansion with Zhang Zhou, do you think this person is a member of Zhang Zhou's party?
Even we think this statement is far-fetched.
Although Ma Zhongxi said that Zhang Zhou was maliciously shielding the criminals, as long as Zhang Zhou handed over the person, the rift between Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi would be resolved. At worst, if you go back and replace Ma Zhongxi, we have no problem with it.
But it’s a bit unjustifiable to ignore guilt.
Zhu Youtang said: "My lords, if a local general has made a mistake, it is not appropriate for the official in charge to report him to the court. But before arresting him for questioning on the spot, should he also ask for instructions from the court? If he just gives A memorandum of guilt in the court, or the handing over of the case, can determine who is guilty or innocent. Can it be followed everywhere in the future to silence local generals?"
The emperor was no longer polite.
I discussed with you earlier that Ma Yi should be handed over to Zhang Zhou, but you are making irresponsible remarks.
Then I will directly attack Ma Zhongxi for using his public weapons for private use, and use the Ming Dynasty's laws to target Ma Yi, which is suspected of avenging private revenge.
Li Dongyang originally wanted to be a peacemaker, because in his previous remarks, he neither helped Ma Yi nor Ma Zhongxi.
But now he finally realized it.
Feelings are what Zhang Zhou does. No matter whether it is right or wrong, or whether it is justified or not, the emperor will support him.
This is simply unreasonable.
"Rumble...wow..."
Thunder was rolling outside the hall, and heavy rain was pouring down.
This time, everyone in the hall couldn't think about Ma Zhongxi and Ma Yi. They were all thinking, since I know it might rain today, why didn't I bring rain gear?
If the rain doesn't stop after the court meeting is dismissed, will we all be drowned?
…
…
"Your Majesty, it's raining."
Dai Yi happily told the emperor the good news, but in fact, he didn't need to say it, everyone present was not deaf, and the sound of rain had almost covered up the voices.
Then the palace guards quickly closed the palace door.
In this way, the hall became a little quieter.
Zhu Youtang squinted his eyes and looked in the direction of the door, and said intentionally or unintentionally: "I don't know if it will rain in Xuanfu today."
The ministers present did not know what to say.
If you mention Ma Zhongxi's participation in the impeachment of Ma Yi again, you are going against the emperor.
If you take the opportunity to attack Zhang Zhou... that would be even worse. It is estimated that the emperor may directly come to punish him. It is not impossible to beat the mountain with a cane and shock the tiger on the spot.
"If there's nothing important, let's stop here for today's meeting."
Zhu Youtang suddenly said something.
When the ministers present heard this, they all shouted in their hearts, "No, we still want to have a friendly exchange with Your Majesty."
If we don't communicate, then we will have close contact with the heavy rain after we go out. We old bones may not be able to withstand the baptism of rain several times. Who will deal with the affairs of the court if we get sick after we go back? Do you expect Zhang Bingkuan to be alone?
"Prepare umbrellas and everything."
Zhu Youtang is not the kind of person who is unkind. Even if the minister gave him some anger today, he still didn't want to see the minister get wet in the rain.
Then Zhu Youtang stood up, the monarch and his ministers completed the final rituals, and then Zhu Youtang left first.
As for Ma Yi's case... there is no need to discuss it anymore. Anyway, the emperor has given Zhang Zhou the authority to discuss the crime... Ma Zhongxi can only stare.
…
…
"Is this really...the leak in the house coincides with the continuous rain?"
The ministers took over their rain gear and left Fengtian Hall in no hurry. Many people gathered at the door.
Xie Qian used his long-tongued nature again, and his pastime was clearly talking about... It was already leaking, that is, we were already very worried about Zhang Zhou, but there were always people who had something to do with him and made us suffer from him. gas.
Xu Qiong walked out of the threshold of Fengtian Hall holding an umbrella and said, "Didn't Your Majesty say it clearly? Today we are not praying for rain in the capital, but in Xuanfu. Who knows whether it will rain in Xuanfu?"
Zhang Mao had already walked out a few steps, then turned back, looked at the people present with a smile and said: "If it hadn't rained that night, what does it have to do with whether the house leaks or not?"
"Mr. British, what do you mean by this?"
Everyone was very dissatisfied after hearing this.
"hehe."
Zhang Mao seemed to be a leisurely man, holding up his umbrella and striding away.
"Rumble..."
The lightning and thunder continued, which made the civil servants present feel very uncomfortable.
Bai Ang asked: "What does this mean?"
Xie Qian glanced at him and said, "Don't you understand? If you weren't sure that it would rain in Xuanfu today, would you be as anxious as you are now?"
Everyone couldn't help but look ashamed after hearing this.
But it's just as Zhang Mao said, if they didn't feel that Zhang Zhou's magical power was "Yu Yu" in their hearts, the civil servants present would not have mixed feelings because of Zhang Zhou's prophecy.
Li Dongyang naturally felt that Xie Qian was trying to encourage other people's ambitions to destroy his own prestige, so he stopped and said, "Yu Qiao, this is inappropriate."
"There's nothing wrong with it. Even I...I agree in my heart that it will most likely rain in Xuanfu today!"
Xie Qian had a bad temper and looked ashamed and angry.
It seemed that he was mocking the civil servants present, but in fact he was also angry with himself.
Zhang Zhou is able to understand the will of heaven, whether it is praying for rain or Zhang Zhou is sure that it will rain that day, it is just such an inch and such a coincidence.
I want to thank someone and want to change, to bring order to the chaos so that His Majesty can respect us again, but there is nothing I can do about it!
What to do?
Is there any other way besides lamenting to God?
…
…
It was raining in the capital of Ming Dynasty that day.
Rainy days tend to make people feel anxious, but because of what happened in the court hall, every one of the civil servants seemed to have a gloomy mood when they left the palace.
No matter what they think in their hearts, at least everyone's face should show the sadness of mourning their heirs when they go out.
I hate that God has no control over it, and I hate that I am unable to change it.
But at this time, in front of the rain praying altar set up at the gate of Xuan Mansion, the soldiers and civilians who were watching seemed to be watching the fun.
The weather in Xuanfu that day... it was a clear sky.
Ma Zhongxi originally didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing. It didn't matter whether it rained that day. Could it be said that if it rained that day, God would be on Zhang Zhou's side? If it rains, can a corrupt official not be punished?
Stop fooling people with God’s will.
But when he got up in the morning and saw the clear sky and the sun shining brightly, he still went out of the city to the altar in person.
Commander-in-chief Zhu Hui had to stick to his post that day and could not leave the city, but the two deputy commander-in-chiefs, Ma Yi and Zhang Heling, were both in front of the altar. However, Ma Yi was guarded by guards in brocade clothes. This probably meant that without Zhang Zhou’s orders, who could You can't even order someone to be taken.
So Ma Yi looked much tougher. When he saw Ma Zhongxi arriving, he didn't look away, but looked full of hatred.
He felt that Ma Zhongxi was deliberately targeting him.
Is there any general in the northwest who is not greedy? Why are you targeting me? Am I easy to bully or something?
My back is against the big tree Zhang Zhou, and it's very cool. If you, Ma Zhongxi, are able to come up and get me, make trouble and see if you can put an end to it!
"Why hasn't Zhang Zhou come yet? Do you want to act based on the weather, don't you dare to come?"
Ma Zhongxi went to the altar and sternly questioned Zhang Lun and others who were setting up the altar.
Zhang Heling was sitting on a chair, and someone had already opened a canopy for him next to him. He hid in a low place and drank tea. Hearing this, he said in a mocking tone: "It seems that some people don't know how many eyes Lord Ma has. Come on." Are you looking for humiliation?"
Ma Zhongxi spread out the fan he was holding and said sternly: "Marquis Shouning, what do you mean?"
"Ha ha."
Zhang Heling also had a fan here, a small folding fan. He pointed the fan at Ma Zhongxi and said with a smile, "I told him, but he is still stubborn? Are all the officials in the northwest ignorant? Don't you know what Master Zhang Xian is good at? Don't know. It’s said that it rains all the time in the summer, but even if it snows all the way in June, there’s nothing surprising about it.”
"ah?"
Many people present couldn't help but talk after hearing Zhang Heling's words.
Although it is no secret in the northwest that Zhang Zhou cured plagues, predicted palace fires, and helped Wang Yue and Zhu Feng win great victories in border towns, Zhang Zhou's ability to call upon the wind and rain... This is too evil, and there is no evidence to prove that he ordered Qingning Palace to do so. The lightning that started the fire was attracted by Zhang Zhou.
As for whether Zhang Zhou really has that ability... humans are not gods.
Even ordinary people feel that this matter is a bit evil and not very credible.
There have been many superstitious people since ancient times, but they basically adhere to the principle of "seeing is believing". Even if you say that you are a god, you have to let people see it with their own eyes.
Just saying.
Zhang Zhou came on horseback.
Beside Zhang Zhou, there were Tang Yin, Xu Jing and others who came over last night.
Originally Zhang Zhou didn't want to see Xu Jing, but now Xu Jing came to the northwest to find trouble for himself, and since he was someone close to Tang Yin, Zhang Zhou let him follow him.
"Everyone, you are here early enough. Have you had breakfast? Lao Ma, are you here too?"
Zhang Zhou jumped off the horse and seemed to be talking to Ma Zhongxi, but what he was looking at was the horse pulling behind Ma Zhongxi.
When Ma Zhongxi saw Zhang Zhou coming, he didn't want to say another word to Zhang Zhou.
But he walked straight to the chair prepared for him.
Zhang Heling stood up and came over to greet him: "Mr. Zhang, you are here. Today is such a good day, are you confident?"
"Praying for rain is more important than sincerity." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "Speaking of which, I also want to thank Lao Ma for coming in person today."
"You thank him for coming to cause trouble for you?"
Zhang Heling's sharp words were no less sharp than those of a street gangster.
Zhang Zhou smiled.
What he wanted to say was that this was also thanks to Ma Zhongxi who left a brilliant mark on history.
Because in history, the rain on May 29, the twelfth year of Hongzhi, was bestowed by Ma Zhongxi, and it was remembered in history.
Historically, this month of May was not peaceful for the northwest. The bandits raided Datong Town to the south for nine days. People from all walks of life in the Ming Dynasty sent troops to coordinate with the camp for twenty miles, but they did not dare to fight head-on. In the end, they relied on heavy rain. Only then did they force the Fire Screen Department back.
But there is one thing.
Zhang Zhou didn't know whether the rain came in the morning or in the afternoon.
Maybe come at night.
He thought to himself that he had time anyway, so why not spend it here?
When will it rain and when will we return home?
(End of chapter)
