"However, Zuo Liangyu has been fighting abroad. I am not sure whether these rumors are true or false. I wonder if there is any definite evidence that can prove that Zuo Liangyu did the things in these rumors, or is someone else framed him?"
Hearing this, Liu Zongzhou suddenly became unhappy. Zhang Mingwei's impression in his mind immediately plummeted, and he immediately stepped out and shouted loudly: "Zuo Liangyu is so arrogant and domineering, why do you need evidence? These are all facts!"
Hearing what he said, Zhang Mingwei turned around and looked over. Seeing his angry look, he just smiled in his heart, but did not show it.
In fact, Emperor Chongzhen originally wanted to say that even he knew about Zuo Liangyu's arrogance and domineering behavior, so that was definitely the case. He believed that Zhang Mingwei also knew about it, but since the gentleman said this, it was obvious that he had his own intentions, so he did not speak.
Seeing this situation, the ministers in the Wenhua Hall assessed the emperor's intentions, and saw Zhou Yanru, the chief minister of the cabinet, came out and said: "I believe that everything must be based on evidence, and you cannot believe or listen. Otherwise, you will be unjustly accused." Who will be responsible for the corruption of the situation caused by the frontline generals? Of course, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has the power to report the situation, so that’s another matter.”
"That's right!" When Wei Zhaocheng, the assistant minister of the cabinet, heard this, he also bowed to Emperor Chongzhen and said, "I agree, and there must be evidence for everything. Otherwise, some people who are seeking fame and fame will ignore the overall situation of the court and just pursue their own interests. It’s really unacceptable to sensationalize.”
Liu Zong was furious when he heard this on Monday. Although he didn't mention him by name, how could he not hear that he was scolding him? Suddenly, he pointed at Wei Zhaocheng and shouted loudly: "Don't think that just because you are a minister in the cabinet, you can talk nonsense. Who do you think is a person who is seeking fame and reputation? If you think there is something wrong with me, Your Majesty is here to impeach me directly!"
"I didn't say it was you!" After hearing this, Wei Zhaocheng turned to look at him and smiled slightly.
When Liu Zong heard this on Monday, he suddenly felt depressed. When he was about to say more, he saw Emperor Chongzhen shouting coldly: "That's enough!"
Seeing this, the censor who was maintaining order and observing etiquette quickly said: "We are impeaching Liu Zongzhou, the censor of Zuodu. Wei Zhaocheng, the assistant minister of the cabinet, is disrespectful in front of the emperor. I will punish him according to the law. Please make your decision!"
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei knew that this unsociable minister was called Liu Zongzhou, and he was considered a famous person.
When Emperor Chongzhen saw Liu Zongzhou and Wei Zhaocheng being impeached by the imperial censor, he pleaded guilty and ignored them. Instead, he turned to Zhang Mingwei and said, "What do you say, sir?"
Zhang Mingwei had already had an idea, so he replied: "Your Majesty, I thought we could send the matter of impeachment to Zuo Liangyu as it is and let him defend himself. We will see how he responds then!"
"Okay, just follow what you said!" Emperor Chongzhen made his final decision after hearing this.
For him, if he has any doubts about why the gentleman suggested this, he can ask Zhang Mingwei privately later.
When the officials in the palace saw this, they went crazy with jealousy. The emperor obviously obeyed this strange man's words, and this was definitely more than any other courtier in the Chongzhen Dynasty who was most favored!
At this time, Emperor Chongzhen then turned to look at the ministers in the palace. When he saw that they were no longer talking, he suddenly yawned. At this time, the sleepiness after staying up all night finally started to fade away.
Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen made a decision in his mind and said coldly: "I have made decisions on a few things."
This was about to issue an edict. When the officials in the palace heard this, they immediately bowed and waited for the edict.
Seeing them like this, Zhang Mingwei was too embarrassed to sit down, so he stood up and listened.
"First, taxes collected north of the Yangtze River will be halved and retained in local areas to be used to consolidate local urban defenses and improve people's livelihood. The tentative period is five years."
Hearing this, the officials in Jiangbei couldn't help but feel happy. This is a good thing! Only the officials in the south of the Yangtze River felt a little unhappy after hearing this. Why are they divided into the south and the north? They began to think about how they could get such a good thing for Jiangnan.
However, before they could speak, Emperor Chongzhen continued: "Secondly, if a place is attacked by bandits or rebels, the local chief official can collect money, food and supplies from the entire city, including those from the vassal kings and squires. No one can refuse!"
This was another explosive decree that surprised them.
"Third, the Crown Prince will soon visit Yingtian Mansion in the south to supervise the collection of taxes and other matters south of the Yangtze River!"
When Emperor Chongzhen said this, before they could digest the shocking news, he added: "For the above three matters, including the Zhongmartyr Shrine and the Treachery Hall, the cabinet will take the lead, and the Director of Rites and Supervisors will participate, and together with the six ministries and nine ministers, we will come up with specific details as soon as possible. Submit the charter."
After finishing speaking, he stood up, waved his sleeves and motioned for Zhang Mingwei to follow him, and turned to the back hall.
The group of civil servants in the Wenhua Hall were dumbfounded. Every matter involved the interests of all parties. Some agreed, some opposed, and some wanted to know more. But before they could react, Emperor Chongzhen left, which made them dumbfounded.
After coming back to his senses, Emperor Chongzhen was gone, and even the strange man was gone. But at this time, they all couldn't care about the strange man. They all gathered around Zhou Yanru, the chief minister, and talked about these things.
The eunuchs Bingbi on the Supervisor's side did not participate. Instead, they urged Zhou Yanru to run errands quickly.
As a result, a group of people left the Wenhua Hall noisily.
On the other side, after Emperor Chongzhen was alone with Zhang Mingwei, he immediately asked his doubts: "I wonder what your true thoughts are on the matters just discussed?"
Zhang Mingwei smiled after hearing this and replied: "From my point of view, Magistrate Liang was right about the fall of Guide. Therefore, I suggest that your Majesty secretly send someone to protect Magistrate Liang. Today's After the matter spreads out, if what he said is true, I guess that Hou Fangxia will probably send someone to silence him. Without any evidence, this matter will naturally become an open case and will be settled."
"Yes, yes!" After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen thought carefully for a while, then said with a gainful smile, "As long as we catch those who went to silence them, this matter will be concluded. Even if not, Then by escorting him to the capital, there will be a chance to find out the truth of the matter."
After he finished speaking, he saw Zhang Mingwei nodding and asked hurriedly: "What about Yang Sichang and Zuo Liangyu?"
Hearing this, Zhang Mingwei replied seriously: "Your Majesty, Yang Sichang is very talented, but in terms of killing Lu Xiangsheng and recommending Chen Xinjia, he has done more wrong than he has done. As for whether he has harmed the country and acted treacherously. , I think we need to investigate further to see what is his relationship with Shanxi merchants?"
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen's expression became obviously lowered. The person I once thought was a good minister actually has so many flaws!
For Yang Sichang, let alone say that he has feelings. Otherwise, he would not have been protecting Yang Sichang after his death. That is to say, Zhang Mingwei said this. If someone else had said it, believe it or not, Emperor Chongzhen would have been angry!
"What about Zuo Liangyu?" Emperor Chongzhen quickly adjusted his mood and asked again.
