However, Liu Yuliang likes fencing and is indeed in good health. Although his vision went dark, he blinked and still didn't faint. Then he had to face reality.
No matter what, the accusations implicit in the memorial cannot be admitted under any circumstances. When he was about to use his brain to argue, Emperor Chongzhen didn't give him a chance and asked sternly: "As the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, why do you do such a shameless thing? You even thought of retaliating against the powerful enemies of the Qing Dynasty. A good official who has protected the people of Jinzhou? Is this the magnanimity of the chief minister?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I have been wronged!" Liu Yuliang had never experienced anything like this before. He was frightened in his heart and stuttered a little when he spoke, "I am indeed loyal to the country, how dare I commit such a crime of deceiving the emperor! Yes! Lu Xiangsheng believes in favoritism, and the humble minister..."
"Enough!" Emperor Chongzhen shouted sharply, interrupting his sophistry, then turned to look at Cao Huachun and asked: "Who is the general who followed him?"
Cao Huachun had been in Liu Yuliang's army and naturally knew it, so he immediately replied: "Your Majesty, this is Zu Kuan, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong Army!"
This Zu Kuan led troops into the Pass to suppress the bandits in the early years. However, this man was arrogant and domineering, and the army he led was in bad military discipline, causing harm to the people, and no one could control it. But the Guan Ning army he led was indeed powerful, and often beat up thieves running around. Therefore, when the imperial court was hiring people, it turned a blind eye to him.
It was not until Lu Xiangsheng came out of the mountain and Zu Kuan joined Lu Xiangsheng that he restrained himself and did not dare to be arrogant and domineering in front of Lu Xiangsheng. But later, after Lu Xiangsheng was transferred to the post of Governor of Xuanda to mainly resist the Manchus, Zu Kuan no longer belonged to Lu Xiangsheng and let himself go again.
Zu Kuan's behavior was heard even in the memory of the original Emperor Chongzhen. Therefore, when Emperor Chongzhen heard that the general was Zu Kuan, he turned to look at Liu Yuliang and shouted sternly: "I have tolerated it again and again. Do you really think that I am easy to bully? Since you don't want to admit it, that's fine!"
After finishing speaking, he ignored the pale Liu Yuliang and turned to Cao Huachun and said: "Send someone to send the chief minister back to his home to have a good rest. You cannot go out or contact the outside without my will. In addition, to trap Zu Kuan, Find out who is telling the truth about this matter. Also, I have collected all the charges against Zu Kuan. The face of the court has been ruined by these unscrupulous scum. I must give justice to the people of the world. An explanation!”
Although he believed that what Lu Xiangsheng said was true, no matter from what aspect, he could not ignore Liu Yuliang's grievances. After all, he was still the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, and he was personally appointed by the emperor. Although he is the former Emperor Chongzhen, since he inherited everything, he must also inherit this pot. Therefore, the normal process must be followed. Fortunately, Cao Huachun has been dealt with and obeyed, and he knows the truth, so Cao Huachun does not dare to cheat.
"This slave obeys the order!" Cao Huachun immediately accepted the order without any hesitation, then turned to look at Liu Yuliang, stretched out his hand to signal, and said coldly: "Master Chief Assistant, let's go!"
The matter had reached this point, and Liu Yuliang knew that it was useless to distinguish any further. He could only be honest and obedient in despair, and returned to his hometown under the arrangement of Cao Huachun, under the supervision of the policemen and under house arrest.
This matter spread quickly. Subsequently, Lu Xiangsheng's memorial to the victory was made public. Therefore, although there is no final conclusion on this matter, everyone knows that the first assistant is finished. It all depends on how the emperor decides. Should he really be punished for the crime of deceiving the emperor, or should he be given a lighter sentence?
As a result, many people began to discuss who would take over the position of chief assistant?
In today's cabinet, Fang Fengnian is ill and recuperating at home. If his illness cannot be cured soon, there will be only two people left in the cabinet, namely Xue Guoguan and Yang Sichang, and the chief minister is likely to be promoted among these two people.
Since it was a choice between two, many officials immediately had a biased opinion, that is, it would be better to let Yang Sichang be the chief assistant! After all, Xue Guoguan has a nickname, Xue Manzi.
Sometimes, Xue Manzi would say whatever he should or should not say. For example, at the last court meeting, the refugee issue was revealed, which caused an extra mouth to eat in the homes of officials above fifth rank in the capital!
Based on this, many officials began to take action. There were many more sedans at the entrance of Yang Sichang's mansion. Those who come to make friends first, those who come to show their goodwill in advance, or those who come to show their loyalty, all of these are included.
However, Yang Sichang, as a party involved, was not so optimistic. Because he knows more inside information than others.
He knew that Xue Manzi's random idea had already aroused the interest of Emperor Chongzhen, but now he has not taken action. Even if he comes to be the chief assistant, if Xue Manzi's idea is finally implemented, he will be roasted on the fire by Xue Manzi, and he will offend all the civil and military officials of the dynasty, as well as the nobles of the palace.
Under such circumstances, even if Yang Sichang could be the chief assistant of the Ming Dynasty, he would not be happy to do so.
Why did Fang Fengnian get sick? Others didn't know it, but he knew it. He was just afraid that if that happened, he, as a cabinet minister, would be hated by others.
At this time, what troubled Yang Sichang the most was that Lu Xiangsheng was okay, and he seemed to be quite capable. He was able to use the limited military power at his hand to contain the 100,000 Manchu troops, so that they could no longer wreak havoc like they did when they first entered the pass!
If in the end the Manchu and Qing armies really had to continue like this, they would have no choice but to leave the country in disgrace. In this way, Lu Xiangsheng's reputation will inevitably be improved by several levels, and the Holy Family will be even more prosperous. From now on, the emperor will only rely on Lu Xiangsheng for military matters. So what will happen to his future?
Thinking of these things, Yang Sichang became very angry and even scolded Dorgon in private. Wasn't he very powerful before? Governor Wu Aheng has also been killed by you, why is it that there is only one Lu Xiangsheng, and you are helpless? What do you do with a strong army?
However, despite the scolding, there was nothing he could do. As he said in his reply to Chen Xinjia, now that the emperor has great trust in Lu Xiangsheng, and with the bonus of good news, who else can shake Lu Xiangsheng's status?
He was irritated by this, while others were anxious by it. This person is Fan Yongzheng, the owner of Fanji Bank. After confirming the situation again and again, he couldn't help but said to Fan Fu with a bit of hatred: "Isn't the Qing army very strong? Why can't it deal with Lu Xiangsheng! If my brother and the others knew about this, they would probably die of panic. No way. , we have to do something!”
As he spoke, he ran around in the study. After a moment of anxiety, he finally came up with an idea. He stopped and looked at Fan Fu and began to order him to do things.
