Fang Fengnian couldn't help but be startled after hearing this. Didn't Cao Huachun arrest him just for collecting money from the families of the two corrupt officials? How come the emperor said that the person who is really dissatisfied with him is actually not this?
The fact that he could become an assistant minister in the cabinet shows that he is not stupid. But after thinking about it for a moment, he was shocked and realized that the emperor must have known what he was thinking.
Thinking like this, Fang Fengnian suddenly felt like he had been seen through by the emperor, which made him even more uneasy when being interrogated by Cao Huachun. When did Emperor Chongzhen become able to see his ministers clearly?
Still not daring to raise his head, he lay there and continued to echo: "The sinner has failed to live up to His grace, please be punished by Your Majesty!"
Emperor Chongzhen looked at him with a feeling that he hated iron but could not turn into steel.
It's not normal for the other party to accept bribes and speak for corrupt officials during the current year. If a big war breaks out because of this matter, the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty will be frightened, and they may even be forced to unite to do some unexpected things, which is what Emperor Chongzhen does not want to see.
In the past, the reason why the eunuchs such as the Royal Horse Guard were willing to kill the king was because they were the emperor's slaves, and their life and death were all decided by the emperor alone, and no one could say anything. Second, the crimes committed by Wang Zhixin and others seriously affected the stability of the Ming Dynasty and directly destroyed several pro-army groups. This is something that no emperor can tolerate.
In addition, Emperor Chongzhen did not hesitate to chop off the head of his chief assistant Liu Yuliang. This was because Liu Yuliang committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. He dared to lie about military information, confuse right and wrong, was greedy for life and feared death, but said that success was not small, and also attacked for his own selfishness. Meritorious local officials. No king would tolerate these behaviors. Therefore, killing Liu Yuliang will not have a direct relationship with most officials.
Of course, Emperor Chongzhen had already killed quite a few ministers and generals. If he continued to kill without hesitation, he would be criticized for being mean and ungrateful. For an emperor, carrying this kind of evaluation, regardless of future generations, he would not be able to escape. Managing government affairs also has negative effects.
At least with such a reputation, there must be some officials with bottom lines who would not be willing to be this official. This is what is meant by the saying that the king chooses his ministers, and the ministers choose their king.
As for the so-called people who are willing to become officials, then the true intention of these people to become officials must be questioned. In the words of later generations, if the monarch is not good enough and still takes great risks to become an official, is it because he is serving the people? Obviously, there are more such officials. Maybe they have selfish needs, right?
Can such officials govern the world well?
Therefore, the reputation of the monarch is also important!
It is for this reason that when Emperor Chongzhen knew that no more problems were found on Fang Fengnian's side, he decided to treat them differently instead of beheading them all.
In other words, any person in power who has any brains, in the context of widespread corruption, will kill everyone because of a little corruption. Even in later generations, when Hong Kong was under British colonial rule and rogue police officers became common, the only option was to establish the Independent Commission Against Corruption, arrest the leading rogue police officers, and pardon most of the ordinary rogue police officers, thus quickly stabilizing Hong Kong's security. . If the British colonists had arrested them without hesitation, they would probably have led to riots by the black police, which would have outweighed the gains and losses.
After staring at Fang Fengnian for a long time, Emperor Chongzhen said coldly: "Whether it is a person or a job, the most important thing is to be responsible! Otherwise, even if you become a cabinet minister, what is the use? In the event of a big event, If you are afraid of taking responsibility, don’t dare to do things, don’t dare to offend others, how can you be loyal to the emperor and serve the country?”
When Cao Huachun heard this, he couldn't help but turn his head slightly and glanced at the emperor. He felt in his heart, why did the emperor seem to be talking about himself?
Didn't I have such thoughts before, but I was forced by the emperor and had no way out, so I kept doing things.
When Fang Fengnian on the ground heard this, he confirmed that it was correct. The emperor had seen through the real reason for his resignation. However, he did not feel much remorse, and secretly echoed the emperor's words in his heart: If you, a wise emperor, could distinguish between good and bad, and would not beat and kill your ministers because of others' impeachment, then you would not be so worried. I'm afraid that if you offend the civil and military officials of the dynasty and punish me for listening to the slander, I won't plan ahead and try to avoid the limelight!
Emperor Chongzhen didn't know what he was thinking, but he still kept talking: "Look at Lu Shangshu, now he is leading the world's soldiers and horses to fight against the powerful Manchu army. Is it a big responsibility? But my decree is to resurrect the love, and he will not If you keep your filial piety, come immediately to share my worries. Even if I have punished him before, he has no complaints and is still fighting for me. Think about it for yourself, do you have the responsibility he has? "
Condemning Lu Xiangsheng was actually Emperor Chongzhen's fault, but at this time, he had to take the blame.
When Fang Fengnian heard this example, he couldn't help but feel stunned. Speaking of which, it is true that Lu Xiangsheng is indeed a responsible person! No one can deny this!
But there are a few Lu Xiangsheng in the world, and a person like Lu Xiangsheng is just an anomaly!
In his heart, he was so relieved and found a reason for himself.
"Also, even Chen Hongxu, the magistrate of Jinzhou, who was born in Jinzhou, is much more responsible than you." Emperor Chongzhen spoke a little louder, which made Fang Fengnian hear that the emperor hated him very much. It means, "As the parent official of Jinzhou, I guard the pastoral side for me. Under the pressure of the chief minister, I can still stick to the bottom line and not let the army of scum like Zu Kuan enter the city and cause harm. This is another kind of responsibility. Do you have it?"
"If it were you, Lu Shangshu, or Chen Zhizhou, would your choice be the same as theirs?"
Hearing this, Fang Fengnian was really shocked. He lay on the ground and asked himself in his heart, not to mention Lu Xiangsheng, but even Chen Hongxu, who was born in Juren, was more responsible than him? If I were in his position, under that background, could I really do the same thing as him?
If Lu Xiangsheng didn't touch him much, because Chen Hongxu was only a civil servant, they, who were born in Jinshi, naturally looked down upon them. But now, Chen Hongxu, who was still out of his sight, was doing better than him and was much more responsible. This incident shocked him even more.
Emperor Chongzhen stared at him carefully and found that Fang Fengnian's body was shaking slightly. He then understood that what he said should have hit him.
After reaching this conclusion, he felt relieved. In this case, there is still hope. So, he added: "Of course, I also know that not taking responsibility is nothing more than an excuse, fearing that I will punish those who take responsibility. It can also be said that it is a manifestation of lack of confidence in me."
Hearing this, Fang Fengnian did not remain silent anymore. His voice was a little low, and he immediately responded: "The guilty minister dare not, the guilty minister really did not take responsibility. He has failed the teachings of the saints and the kindness of the king!"
If the king wants the minister to die, the minister has to die. This is a manifestation of the loyalty of the minister to the king, at least this is what the scholar-bureaucrats advocate. However, I believe that there are very few ministers who can really do this.
Emperor Chongzhen listened, looked at him and said: "At least until you prove that you are responsible, you are not qualified to be a minister. I can give you another chance to prove yourself."
Upon hearing this, Fang Fengnian felt sad and relieved at the same time. Then he felt grateful and quickly echoed: "Your Majesty's teachings, the guilty minister will remember them in my heart and I dare not forget them again."
"After the war, you will become the governor of Dezhou Prefecture and do a good job in post-war reconstruction."
After Emperor Chongzhen said this, he turned around and left without stopping.
He actually knew in his heart that Fang Fengnian wanted to prove his responsibility, and he also had to use concrete actions to prove that he, as the emperor, would not let his responsible ministers be retaliated against! Only in this way can I have more responsible ministers!
