When Cui Yuan went back to talk to Princess Yongkang, Princess Yongkang showed considerable approval.
They have a deep relationship as a couple and share the same goals.
Cui Yuan is a male, and he also has to consider his reputation outside.
Princess Yongkang can't control that much.
As the second daughter of Emperor Xianzong, she actually had no status during the Chenghua period. Her mother, Concubine Guo Hui, was not favored in the harem, and she gave birth to a daughter without a son, so she was basically ignored by Emperor Xianzong.
Until Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne.
Hongzhi was a generous emperor, especially his relatives.
And the title Yongkang,
It was also awarded to her by Emperor Hongzhi.
In the sixth year of Hongzhi's reign, Cui Yuan, the consort, was specially selected for him.
Cui Yuan was a handsome man with a good reputation. By marrying his sister to this man, it can be seen that Emperor Hongzhi loved her.
Now, Zhu Houzhao treats them well.
Because both Princess Yongkang and the consort Cui Yuan were law-abiding people, Zhu Houzhao had no reason not to treat them preferentially.
In this way, Princess Yongkang was actually more radical than Cui Yuan. She advised her husband: "Since we know about this matter, we should report it to His Majesty immediately."
Of course Cui Yuan was confused;
This is somewhat unkind...
"If the husband feels embarrassed, then the husband should not enter the palace."
That means she has to go alone.
Princess Yongkang must protect the emperor. After all, she is a woman and a princess. She is not afraid of any bad words. Those men would be narrow-minded if they care about a woman like her.
But in fact, Zhu Houzhao didn't need her help.
Marquis Yongkang's actions were so amateurish that Jin Yiwei also caught the two assassins who escaped.
He must be included in the salt class.
This is already certain.
But after all, Emperor Taizong personally conferred the title of Marquis of Yongkang. Without the emperor's imperial edict, Mao Yuwen would not have been able to arrest people hastily, so he made an extra step to go to the palace to request the edict.
After that, groups of people surrounded the Yongkang Marquis Mansion.
The women in the mansion were crying loudly, while Marquis Yongkang himself was sitting in the lobby with a pale face.
"I want to see your Majesty!"
Mao Yuwen didn't understand why he was so intense at this time.
"Mr. Xu, even if I have official business and want to see His Majesty, I have to go to the attendant's room to hand over a note and wait. Now that you always want to see His Majesty so easily, I'm afraid it will be as difficult as going to heaven."
Mao Yuwen made a bad move. What he meant in his words was that there was nothing serious for you to see the emperor.
"Yongkang Marquis Xu Qi asks to see Your Majesty!
"
"Yongkang Marquis Xu Qi asks to see Your Majesty!
"
…
Although this guy was arrested, he kept shouting like this all the way.
Those who didn’t know thought there was some grievance.
Mao Yuwen had no choice but to send someone to report this situation to the emperor.
In fact, the emperor was very busy, where could he find time to see him?
This is not a lie,
At this time, Liang Chu, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, Han Wen, the minister of the Ministry of household affairs, Wang Bing, the minister of the Ministry of war, Lin Han, the minister of the rites, Zeng Jian, the minister of the Ministry of industry, and Min Gui, the minister of the Ministry of punishment, plus the chief officials of Dali Temple, General Affairs Bureau, and the Metropolitan Inspectorate All gathered in Qianqing Palace.
There are six ministries and nine ministers, no less than one.
In addition, Yang Tinghe, British Duke Zhang Mao, Chengguo Duke Zhu Fu, and Dingguo Duke Xu Guangzuo were also present.
The most important among the honorable ministers is the British official Zhang Mao. He is now in charge of the Central Military Governor's Mansion and also in charge of the five military camps. He not only has a high title, but also a high official position. He is also old and belongs to the elders of the four dynasties.
Therefore, the nobles in the capital are often headed by him.
Such a big battle is naturally not just a small talk.
But the Salt Lesson has been able to confirm that, since there is such a thing, what to do is naturally something that the court must consider.
There happened to be a Korean memorial as an opportunity,
Among them, 'cooking without permission is the beginning of the evil system', 'traitors occupy Zhonghuai salt and sell their nests for profit', etc. They can all see clearly.
And in the Palace of Qianqing,
Except for a few people such as Han Wen and Min Gui who had previously known that the emperor was aware of the disadvantages of the salt class, many others were still a little unprepared. It didn't take long from that morning to today. How could the situation develop so fast?
"...Although the first year of Zhengde is not yet halfway through, this event must have become the biggest event of the year. There are no ministers, ministers, or ministers... Hey, I really didn't know that the Ming Dynasty was so dirty. A terrible corner!"
The ministers bowed their heads. What could they say when things got to this level?
I'm afraid I pray more that I won't be involved.
"You are all here today. Now that such a scandal has occurred, you are all talking about what to do. Before you talk, you should think carefully about how the Ming Dynasty became what it is now."
"If my ancestors have spirits in heaven, I don't know how angry I would be when I see the world being turned into this. In order to have the honor to see my ancestors underground in the future, I have to think about how Emperor Taizu would feel in the face of today's situation. What should we do? So we all think about it and think about it carefully, so that this matter can be handled easily."
All the ministers were shocked,
Why are you mentioning Emperor Taizu at this time?
Are all the relevant personnel to be slaughtered?
To be honest, some of the ministers' salt quotations were given by Emperor Hongzhi. Of course, it was wrong for them to use their status to 'sell their nests', but it should not be a crime of beheading.
Moreover, in fact, in addition to honorable ministers, chamberlains and civil servants, there are also clan members. This group has also been rewarded with a lot of salt by Xiaomiao.
They shouldn't be honest either, right?
"Your Majesty," Han Wen stepped forward and handed over his hand. He was the one who was not in charge, so he naturally wanted to speak, "I believe that the disadvantages of the Salt Class have harmed the country. If it is not clear, the world will be unrest and the national treasury will not be rich. Therefore, I hope that your Majesty, Make a decision early, thoroughly investigate the salt law, and clean up the inner world!"
It didn't sound like what he said.
Many people in Qianqing Palace understand Korean.
There are many people involved in the salt class. It is said that a thorough investigation is required. How to investigate and what to do if it is found out?
The minister of the Ministry of Industry once noticed that he was getting old and was unwilling to have such turmoil, so he wrote: "Your Majesty, it is said that heavy rituals should be used in troubled times and benevolent policies should be implemented in prosperous times. Since your Majesty has been in charge of the country, the court has become increasingly pragmatic and the people have become increasingly prosperous. At this time, it is necessary Benevolence to the world. Although the disadvantages of the Salt Law are detestable, the Salt Law is closely related. If it is easily provoked, I fear that the court will be turbulent and the people will be uneasy!"
"But I remember that there is a saying in "The Rites of Zhou": Use strong medicine to remove maladies, and use strict laws and regulations to control chaos. Shouldn't strict laws and regulations be applied to serious diseases like the Salt Law? Benevolent government is given to the people who abide by the law. These people are not common people. They won't abide by the law. So, do you still need to show mercy to them?" Zhu Houzhao was a little disdainful, "Today's discussion is for you to discuss how to punish them, not whether to punish them. Sometimes I feel that It’s strange, it’s natural to be punished for doing something wrong, what’s the matter? I’ve been in the palace for a long time, don’t you know that in this world, mistakes can be made without punishment?”
No one answered this question.
Zhu Houzhao felt very embarrassed.
"Zeng Shangshu, what do you think?"
Zeng Jian was helpless. He paused and replied: "What your Majesty said is certainly correct. It's just that the way to govern a country is not that simple sometimes."
"How complicated can it be?" Zhu Houzhao tilted his body, "If I don't punish people who have done wrong things, then who should I punish? People who have done wrong things and have a low official position? Then don't I, the emperor, bully the weak and fear the strong? Lord."
At this point, everyone knew that the emperor had already made up his mind.
According to past experience, this cannot be dissuaded.
The British Duke Zhang Mao, who had been silent for a long time, said: "Your Majesty naturally bullies the weak and fears the strong. His Majesty alone will make the final decision. But if there are too many people involved, it will be unstable. It would be better to do this. This case should be investigated. But can’t we make a distinction?”
"What's the difference?"
"Those who take the initiative to confess to the court and hand over the silver they received will be dealt with lightly. Those who resist the investigation and refuse to plead guilty will be punished according to His Majesty's decree! I have two points in mind. First, some salt quotations were given by Xiaomiao Temple. Secondly, , there are too many people involved in the scandal, Jin Yiwei will be sued all over the world, and there will be chaos, which will actually affect this year's salt tax."
Zhu Houzhao nodded, which actually sounded a bit reliable.
The main reason is that Emperor Hongzhi did reward too many salts, but he cannot be blamed for this. As a person of this era, from the perspective of an exploiter, he would naturally think that this kind of thing can be used as a reward, and it is normal for businessmen and people to be exploited.
It's just that the last emperor rewarded Yan Yin, and this emperor wants to kill people because of this excuse, which is really unreasonable.
However, the British Duke should know that Marquis Yongkang did not take the initiative to confess. This suggestion was actually to sacrifice him, which was regarded as a concession to the emperor.
"Mr. British, your method is good. But there is a time limit for voluntary confession. I can't wait for him for ten or eight years. There must be specific measures for lenient treatment. How do you call it lenient treatment?"
After Zhu Houzhao asked, he added: "Moreover, I never said that it is a sin for these people to hold salt citations. As you said, many of them were gifts from the late emperor. What I want to investigate is that some people are profiting. It was done by improper means. Even if I take the initiative to confess, I will not give too much lenient treatment. Otherwise, the Ming Law will become a joke. Anyway, as long as you do something wrong, you will be fine if you tell me."
The atmosphere in Qianqing Palace was a little stagnant for a while.
The emperor had a tough attitude and was unwilling to let offenders break the law.
If this is the case, it is hard to say that the crowd will be rolling.
"Your Majesty," Min Gui, Minister of Punishment, asked a professional question, "Salt Yin itself is a profit when it is sold. How to define profit by improper means?"
Zhu Houzhao lowered his brows and said four words, "Selling private salt."
The normal sale of official salt was the guarantee for the royal salt tax. After the rise of private salt, this part of the regular tax was misappropriated.
In other words, reselling illegal salt is poaching the country.
So other things can be discussed as appropriate, but taking the initiative to sell salt privately is absolutely not allowed. This is something that directly harms the interests of the emperor. If you have done this, how can you say the word 'loyalty to the emperor'?
So Zhu Houzhao's meaning is very simple and direct. If you poach my corner, I will kill you.
The officials of Qianqing Palace looked at me and I looked at you, but in the end no one could say anything.
