Soon, apart from a few close servants, Cao Huachun and Li Ruolian were the only ones in the palace.
When Emperor Chongzhen saw them, he first asked Li Ruolian: "Will the few people who were under surveillance in the palace who were secretly communicating with others outside the palace go out today?"
Cao Huachun was stunned after hearing this. He didn't expect such a thing?
Generally speaking, Jinyiwei mostly focuses on the outside, while Dongchang is on the inside. Moreover, he is a eunuch, so if it is a matter in the palace, it will be easier for him to do it. Unexpectedly, the emperor left this kind of matter to the commander of the Jinyi Guards.
Thinking like this, Cao Huachun couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis in his heart.
"Your Majesty, one of the eunuchs from the Internal Affairs Bureau is out on duty today." Upon hearing this, Li Ruolian immediately reported respectfully.
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen immediately asked Cao Huachun: "Who else will go out today? As long as you know in advance that you will go out, it's fine!"
When Cao Huachun heard this, he quickly responded: "Your Majesty, there are five people from Shangshan Supervisor who are out on duty today."
"You all know these people, right?" Emperor Chongzhen asked again.
The emperor's question today was a bit unusual, which made both factory guard leaders feel a little nervous. Li Ruolian couldn't recognize them all, but Cao Huachun was sure, as he basically knew everyone in the palace.
Emperor Chongzhen seemed to be in a daze for a moment, and then suddenly issued an order: "Okay, you select your absolute confidants to follow me out of the palace later."
That's not all. He also sent an order to the six ministers, saying that they wanted to discuss matters. When he arrived, he also asked them to cover up the eunuch's clothes, and quietly left the palace under the cover of Cao Huachun.
Of course some ministers would ask about such a weird thing. For example, Li Daiwen, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, asked, but Emperor Chongzhen's answer was: "I have received a secret report. You don't need to ask any more questions, just go and arrest the person!"
Who is it that actually asked the emperor to take six ministers out of the palace to arrest someone?
Suddenly, the ministers who heard this had a big question mark on their foreheads?
Faintly, they all felt that the situation might be very serious, but they didn't know what happened, and they couldn't guess it. Anyway, it couldn't be a major treason case, right?
After Cao Huachun and Li Ruolian heard this, they both looked at each other secretly. They wondered whether the secret report the emperor received came from Jin Yiwei or Dongchang? Anyway, it has not passed through my own hands. If the other party is not in charge of the yamen, then it is very likely that there is someone in my yamen who has the power to secretly report to the emperor secretly.
Thinking like this, the two of them couldn't help but be alert. It seems that you must reflect on your actions and not do anything that will disgrace the emperor. Otherwise, who knows when, someone will report it to the emperor.
Besides, after Linhuai Marquis Li Zushu had lunch together in the Duke Chengguo's mansion, he went out and said to his bodyguard: "Let's go to Zuixiao Tower."
These personal guards were all sons of his family, so he felt comfortable using them. After all, even if it is something shameful, someone needs to take care of it, and it is impossible for him to do everything by himself.
As soon as they heard that they were going to Zuixiao Tower, they knew who their master was going to see, so they immediately agreed and escorted him there together.
What Li Zushu didn't know was that when he revealed his destination, Emperor Chongzhen immediately asked Li Ruolian and Cao Huachun: "Go near Zuixiao Tower. It's best to see the main entrance, but not to be discovered."
This kind of thing is very simple for factory guards.
They entered through the back door of a shop opposite Zuixiao Tower and immediately took control of everyone in the shop. Nothing could be seen from the outside, but the big boss was in charge inside.
Emperor Chongzhen did not need to personally comfort the people in the shop. He went straight to the second floor and leaned against the window. Then he ordered Cao Huachun and others: "Keep an eye on everyone to see if anyone they know enters Zuixiao Tower."
Then, he said to the six ministers: "You can go and see it, or you can sit and wait."
What was happening in front of me was really weird. Some of the six ministers couldn't help but go to the window to take a peek, while others sat there, guessing something in their minds.
Suddenly, Li Ruolian reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Linhuai Marquis Li Zushu has entered."
This kind of gentleman has nothing to do every day. He only eats, drinks, has fun, and goes to a restaurant. It's not too normal. So basically no one cares about this.
But who knows, Emperor Chongzhen said casually: "He is one of the protagonists today, wait a moment."
"..." Suddenly, everyone looked at each other speechlessly. They didn't expect that the emperor was so weird. He was actually related to the nobles, and he was also the founding hero of the country.
Immediately, they remembered the fierce incident of Yuan Wu Qinghou that started yesterday.
This matter was what they proposed to the emperor one by one to seek justice for Li Guochen. Although rumors later leaked out, it was said that this was likely to become the norm, not only to get money from nobles, but also from civil and military officials. However, I have never heard of this kind of thing before, and it is hard to say whether it is true or not.
In normal times, civil servants generally look down on those nobles. They studied hard for countless years in poverty, and finally got Jinshi and had to endure officialdom. Even this, they are not as good as those who have been honored and prosperous for generations. It would be strange to have a balanced mind in this situation.
Therefore, each of them has a mentality of just watching the excitement. Even if they did not expect that Li Guorui would hang himself, they would not be filled with much righteous indignation. In this case, it's more of a circle of honorable people.
Although they were working in Shangya, there was a lot of trouble in the original Wu Qinghou Mansion, so they naturally heard about it. However, it’s okay to make a fuss, what else can be done? The most he could do was to trouble Li Guochen and complain to the emperor.
However, at this time, at least the six ministers in front of them felt that something was wrong, and they were wondering in their hearts whether these nobles would cause something more outrageous?
Speaking of what happened to Marquis Wu Qing, he deserved it!
The queen personally went out to sell the cotton fabrics woven in the palace. It seemed that the emperor was really anxious and was driven by money. However, Yuan Wuqinghou didn't know the seriousness of the matter. Not only did he want to get money, but he also went to the street to sell pots and pans, and even roped in Yuan Jiadingbo. Where is the royal dignity?
If the original Marquis Wu Qing really didn't have that kind of money, it would still be reasonable to say that the imperial court forced him to do this! However, he was found by Dongchang. In this case, it would be too shameless for Wu Qinghou to go to the streets to sell pots and pans.
If it weren't for the sake of Queen Mother Xiaoding, if something like this happened to ordinary people, it would end up either beheading or imprisoned in Zhongdu. Speaking of which, it is better to consider the emperor as kind and considerate of family affection.
I have nothing to do, these six ministers are muttering in my heart.
After an unknown period of time, Emperor Chongzhen stood up.
As a result, everyone in the room couldn't help but look at him, wondering what he was going to do?
I saw Emperor Chongzhen walking to the window. After looking for a while, he turned back and said, "No need to look any further. The person has already entered through the back door and is now talking in the Chun Nuan Pavilion on the second floor opposite. Wait a minute and listen to my orders!"
In fact, he knew about this situation by eavesdropping on the seeds. However, he can't just sit there and say this information, right? Go out and hang out by the window, and then talk about this matter. As for how they knew it, they had room for imagination.
Sure enough, when everyone in the room heard this, they were all shocked. It turned out that there was an informant of the emperor outside, reporting everything that happened inside!
So, all the six ministers looked at the two factory guard leaders; however, Cao Huachun and Li Ruolian looked at each other again, speculating in their minds like them.
At this time, in the Chunnuang Pavilion of Zuixiao Tower, Li Zushu's personal bodyguards were guarding the outside, while he himself was talking in a low voice with a person.
Li Zushu whispered to the man in front of him: "This time, there is a very important thing for you to do. As long as you do it well, I and Duke Cheng will help you to get the palm seal eunuch." One position. In the future, if we respond to each other, it will be possible for us to be the ceremonial supervisor, the eunuch, and the eunuch. Your family will also be able to enjoy glory and wealth!"
"If you have anything to do, please give me your orders, Lord Marquis." The person who spoke had a shrill voice and was obviously a eunuch.
"Okay!" After hearing this, Li Zushu took out a small bag of something from his arms and pushed it in front of him, "Now Concubine Tian's son is ill. You secretly pour the contents into his medicine to ensure that he Drink it. This matter is over!"
"What?" When the eunuch heard this, he asked in surprise, "What is in this?"
When Li Zushu heard this, he sneered and said: "What else could it be? It must be poison. But don't worry, it didn't happen on the spot. There will be about three days to buffer, and the symptoms are similar to his disease. Most people will think that he is His condition suddenly worsened and he died."
After hearing this, the eunuch frowned, took the package in his hand and looked at it, and then said doubtfully: "The prince is only more than three years old, why do you want him to die? It should be with the Marquis and the Duke. There is no stake at all!”
"What do you know!" Li Zushu said angrily after hearing this. He felt aggrieved at first, but then he felt a little proud. The other party was his accomplice, so he explained to him, "We got the news that the emperor used Li Guochen to ask for money from Wu Qinghou this time. When he turned around, the court still wouldn't If you have money, the emperor will borrow money from all the nobles when he is in a hurry. You said that if the emperor borrows money, will there be any chance of repaying it? "
"Oh?" After hearing this, the eunuch didn't doubt that his words were false. He just said doubtfully, "Then just give me some. It's better than doing this kind of thing!"
When Li Zushu heard this, he immediately replied dissatisfied: "You think just giving me a little will solve the problem? You didn't even look at how much Wu Qinghou gave, two hundred thousand taels! Also, Dongchang found out , the silver alone is over 400,000. This is just a nepotism of Wu Qinghou, which has been passed down for several generations. How much do you think the emperor will be satisfied when he borrows money from us? Two hundred thousand taels, Or four hundred thousand taels?"
When the eunuch heard this, he couldn't help but nodded. Who would be willing to give so much money, he would definitely not be happy!
However, he still had doubts, so he asked again: "Then what does this matter have to do with the prince?"
"Haha, you don't understand!" Li Zushu was a little proud, so he told him, "I persuaded him to resist the emperor's will about Wu Qinghou. If he can succeed, then we, the honorable Everything will be fine in your city. But I didn't expect that I was stabbed in the back by the fortune teller, and ended up giving me as much as 400,000 taels."
Having said this, he seemed to be a little excited and said: "Then I went to the Wuqinghou Mansion last night and tricked Li Guorui into hanging himself. I really didn't expect that such a person who relied on nepotism to become a marquis would not One was a smart one, but the other one was stupid and really believed what I said, so the fake hanging turned into a real one."
"Do you know why he wanted to die?" Li Guorui asked the eunuch with pride.
He is saying that Li Guorui is stupid, but in fact he is not that smart either.
I have had no worries about food and clothing all my life, and I have never played anything! Nowadays, there is such a big thing to play, and you can play it for your own pocket. If you think it's average, it's okay. The key is that he feels that everything is under his control, which gives him a sense of accomplishment.
However, this kind of thing cannot be told to the outside world. The eunuch in front of him is a party and a group. If you don't explain it clearly to him and let him admire him, you will waste this opportunity.
In the final analysis, these nobles have already turned into pigs. The moths in Ming Dynasty no longer have the wisdom of their ancestors. This is also the case. When the Ming Dynasty fell, they did not want to be loyal to the country. Instead, they were greedy for life and feared death and wanted to surrender and continue to enjoy the glory and wealth.
"Why?" The eunuch asked as Li Zushu expected.
When Li Zushu heard this, he immediately whispered enthusiastically: "Only if Li Guorui is really dead, this matter will be more shocking. Look, there are countless nobles gathered in Wu Qinghou's house now. They are all very angry and making a fuss!”
At this point, he smiled proudly again, pointed at the package and said: "Then we will spread the news that the Queen Mother Xiaoding has been promoted to the Nine Lotus Bodhisattva. She reproaches the emperor in heaven for despising his relatives, and actually forced Li Guorui to death. Therefore, The crime will be punished, and every son of the emperor will die young."
"Hehe!" Li Zushu looked at the shocked eunuch opposite and said, "What do you think the emperor will do when his sick fifth son really dies? Will he be scared to death and still dare to If you don’t dare to do anything to your relatives again? If you don’t dare to do anything to your relatives, will the others be fine too?”
After a while, the eunuch came back to his senses. He couldn't help but nod his head and said: "This kind of thing is originally something that one would rather believe than believe it. If the prince happens to die again, it's hard to believe it or not. This is a good idea. ,awesome!"
"That's right! This is something that Duke Cheng Guo and I worked out together. It will definitely be very useful!" Li Zushu was very proud. After saying this, he felt so happy in his heart!
The eunuch put away the package, and then whispered: "Okay, in this case, let's wait for the good news from our family. In the future, I also ask the Marquis and the Duke to help me more. I have more power in the palace. It’s also good for you two!”
After hearing this, Li Zushu naturally agreed repeatedly.
They didn't know that upstairs on the opposite side, Emperor Chongzhen heard that they seemed to be dispersed, so he walked to the window to take a look, and then immediately began to issue an order.
