Chapter 387: Distinguishing pressure from ministers and turning the situation around
Author: Soy Sauce Mixed History
Chapter 387: Distinguishing pressure from ministers and turning the situation around
Because Mi Zhu came against the light, under the influence of the light, many ministers in the hall did not know who the minister was at first.
However, as Mi Zhu's figure appeared, the official outside the palace door loudly announced Mi Zhu's identity.
"The guard has been ordered to pay homage to His Majesty."
When this loud sound of praise echoed in the hall, all the ministers in the hall instantly knew who had arrived.
In the Han Dynasty, calling a person by his or her first name was considered impolite.
However, due to the clear distinction between monarch and ministers in the Han Dynasty, whenever a minister visited the monarch, the courtesy officer would often call out his official position and name to declare his identity.
But there are exceptions to everything. There is a category of ministers who will be given the special honor of "praise and worship" by the monarch to demonstrate their special status in the king's heart.
Among the current Han Dynasty, only one minister has such an honor.
Who else could this person be if he wasn't Mi Zhu?
After realizing that it was Mi Zhu who had arrived, all the ministers in the hall who supported Mi Yang showed joy.
On the contrary, the many ministers who wanted to attack Mi Yang today had heavy expressions on their faces.
Rumors spread throughout the government and the public that Mi Zhu was seriously ill and would not recover.
How could he still come to attend the imperial meeting today!
As for those ministers who originally remained neutral, after realizing Mi Zhu's arrival, their faces showed a look of watching a good show.
In terms of the power in his hands, Liu Ba may not be inferior to Mi Zhu.
But in terms of their transcendent status in the Han Dynasty, are Liu Ba and Mi Zhu comparable?
In other words, among the ministers present, which one can surpass Mi Zhu?
Mi Zhu walked into the main hall just as the sound of praise and worship echoed in the main hall.
After Mi Zhu entered the hall, although his face looked very pale, his steps did not appear weak or weak.
Mi Zhu walked towards Liu Ba step by step with firm steps.
In the past, his demeanor was humble, which was a creed of his conduct in the world.
But today, Mi Zhu's face was full of solemnity.
He was already majestic in appearance, but now coupled with his expression, he looked full of momentum today.
Not even any minister in the palace had ever seen Mi Zhu like this, not even Liu Bei, who had been with Mi Zhu day and night for more than ten years.
When Liu Ba saw Mi Zhu approaching him with momentum, he couldn't help but feel nervous in his heart.
Mi Zhu's current mood can be clearly reflected from his words just now.
Mi Zhu was very dissatisfied with the attack on his nephew.
While walking, Mi Zhu walked straight past the ministers and came to Liu Bei. He bowed to him and said, "I am late, please forgive me."
Mi Zhu didn't come late on purpose today. He had to support his illness to attend the imperial meeting, so he wasted some time when he got up in the morning to wash up.
Maybe Mi Zhu didn't clearly explain the reason for his late arrival, but how could Liu Bei not know?
He would not blame Mi Zhu for such a trivial matter.
Liu Bei took three steps at a time, walked down from the throne on the high steps to Mi Zhu, lifted him up personally, and said in a worried tone:
"Since you have physical inconveniences, you should take good care of yourself at home.
How can I be tired of all the things in the world?"
After finishing speaking, Liu Bei immediately signaled to the waiters in the palace to prepare to collapse.
But Mi Zhu didn't accept Liu Bei's kindness.
Mi Zhu looked at the master who had served him for decades, and said with a firm tone:
"Today is the time for your Majesty to discuss the new policy of Liangzhou Mu with all his ministers. Liangzhou Mu is not only an important minister of the country, but also my nephew. I cannot miss this great meeting, both in public and private matters."
The political system of the Han Dynasty was different from that of later generations. In some later dynasties, it may be considered politically incorrect to appoint people and relatives, but in the Han Dynasty, it was normal to appoint people and relatives.
Otherwise, how could the so-called Four Generations and Three Dukes develop?
It's just that the secular world agrees with the practice of appointing people to their relatives. In contrast, ministers must also bear corresponding responsibilities for this practice.
Just like what Mi Zhu is saying now.
Mi Yang was his nephew. Since he was going to be discussed by the ministers as to whether he was guilty or not, Mi Zhu, as Mi Yang's uncle, could not deliberately avoid this court meeting.
However, Liu Bei, who knew Mi Zhu well, heard other meanings from Mi Zhu's words.
After understanding Mi Zhu's intentions, although Liu Bei was worried about Mi Zhu's health, he did not stop Mi Zhu.
He knew that what Mi Zhu needed now was support.
So after Liu Bei nodded slightly to Mi Zhu, he returned to the throne and sat down.
Although Mi Zhu's sudden appearance was beyond Liu Bei's expectation, Liu Bei's deep relationship with him through thick and thin for decades made Liu Bei's trust in Mi Zhu unimaginable.
After Liu Bei returned to the throne and sat down, Mi Zhu immediately turned around and looked at Liu Ba.
Mi Zhu looked at Liu Ba with eyes full of offense.
He and Liu Ba had no feud in the past, and when they met in the past, they would greet each other with their own etiquette.
But today, when the two of them stand opposite each other in the Mingde Hall where all the ministers are paying attention, it means that it will be difficult to get along with Liu Ba in the future.
When Liu Ba saw Mi Zhu looking at him, he felt even more nervous.
It’s just that Liu Ba didn’t want Mi Zhu to control the rhythm, so after bowing to Mi Zhu, he asked before Mi Zhu could speak:
"Mi Jun thinks what I just said is extremely ridiculous. I wonder if you can elaborate?"
Today's meeting is called to discuss whether Liangzhou's New Deal is feasible, but Liu Ba and a group of powerful Yizhou families want more than that.
If we can pass today's court meeting, Mi Yang will be charged with some crimes, which will be a perfect thing.
This is also one of the ways Liu Ba came up with to prevent Mi Yang from having evil intentions in the future.
He had already made a very good start on this matter through his words just now, so naturally he could not sit back and watch Mi Zhu ruin his perfect start.
When officials in the Han Dynasty discussed political affairs, they did not mean scolding. Whether they were supporting or opposing, they must be supported by corresponding arguments.
Just now Mi Zhu said that what Liu Ba said was ridiculous. As Mi Zhu, he can express such a view, but he must also provide corresponding arguments to support it.
Seeing Liu Ba taking the initiative to ask about him, Mi Zhu showed a smile on his face.
Perhaps because he has been silent for too long, many people have forgotten what matters he was mainly responsible for when he followed Liu Bei.
Mi Zhu continued to take another step towards Liu Ba. He first used this movement to increase his momentum.
Then he asked Liu Ba: "You just said that General Zuo's implementation of the new policy in Liangzhou was changing the laws of his ancestors, which is the so-called "suspiciousness of national affairs."
So you take this as a sign of imminent chaos in the country, and wonder if what I said is biased?"
Although Liu Ba didn't know why Mi Zhu wanted to repeat the argument he just made, it was just that he couldn't say it out loud if it was said in public.
Moreover, Liu Ba believed that there was nothing inappropriate in the argument he made.
Perhaps the Han Dynasty has never had a hard and fast rule that the ancestral system cannot be changed, but the ancestral system is the ancestral system after all, and the doubts caused by rash changes will definitely be considerable.
Liu Ba nodded slightly at Mi Zhu, indicating that Mi Zhu's description was not wrong.
And just after Liu Ba nodded, Mi Zhu snorted coldly, as if laughing at Liu Ba's unwiseness.
After snorting coldly, Mi Zhu asked the ministers in the palace: "When your Majesty took control of Yizhou, Yizhou's military was insufficient, and your Majesty was very worried.
Do you still remember which of the ministers present suggested to Your Majesty, "We should cast hundreds of coins to level all the merchants and make the officials official?"
As soon as Mi Zhu's question came out, the faces of all the ministers in the palace instantly became very good-looking.
Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Liu Ba.
Their answers are already coming.
When Liu Ba saw Mi Zhu mention this matter, panic suddenly appeared in his eyes.
After getting the answers from all the ministers in the palace, Mi Zhu turned around and asked Liu Badao loudly: "Shang Shu Ling Xue is familiar with ancient and modern times, can you tell me and tell your majesty, in the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, has any dynasty had a precedent of implementing Zhibai Qian?
?”
Faced with Mi Zhu's deliberate inquiry, Liu Ba, who had learned a lot, felt like his throat was being strangled, and he hesitated to say a word.
If he learns how to be rich, what can he say if he has nothing to do?
Seeing that Liu Ba was hesitant and his eyes were evasive, Mi Zhu continued to pursue the victory and said: "Since there is no such precedent, then the action of casting a hundred coins by the minister can naturally be regarded as a change of the ancestor's law.
If according to what Shangshu Ling said, changing the laws of the ancestors is a crime, then the first person your Majesty will have to go to jail for the crime is you, Shangshu Ling!"
When Mi Zhu said these words, Liu Ba's expression became more and more panicked. He was so frightened by Mi Zhu's irrefutable words that he couldn't help but take a few steps back.
Using the son's spear to attack the son's shield, Liu Ba didn't keep saying that he was changing the laws of his ancestors, or he was doubting the state affairs. Wouldn't it cause turmoil in the country?
So this can be used to convict Mi Yang, but Liu Ba must be convicted first.
Even in the four hundred years since the Han Dynasty, countless people and ministers have taken reform measures. Should we now overthrow all their contributions and condemn them as guilty ministers?
Would the descendants, disciples and old officials of famous ministers allow such a thing to happen?
It's just that what Mi Zhu wants is not to simply refute Liu Ba, what he wants to do is to clear all public opinion obstacles for Mi Yang to implement the New Deal.
So after Mi Zhu saw that Liu Ba was speechless, he said to the many ministers present: "It is normal for those who have changes in their ancestral system to have concerns.
It's just that in the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, there have been many examples of famous ministers changing the system to achieve great local governance.
Just like the policy of "casting a hundred coins" proposed by Shangshu Ling, many people were worried at that time.
But from the current national conditions of the Han Dynasty, we can know that the policy of "casting a hundred coins" did indeed enhance the national strength of the Han Dynasty.
If all the colleagues at that time had blocked the reform of Shangshu Ling as they did now, how would the Han Dynasty be able to defeat powerful enemies in a row?
Today, General Zuo just wants to use reforms to enhance the national strength of the Han Dynasty, just like the ministers of the past, so what is wrong with this?"
After Mi Zhu finished speaking his opinion, many ministers in the hall had thoughtful expressions on their faces.
There is no doubt that Mi Zhu's words moved them.
The ministers in the hall today are mainly divided into three groups. Apart from the ministers who support and oppose Mi Yang, there are also a large number of ministers who maintain a neutral attitude.
What Mi Zhu wants to win now is the support of these ministers.
It was obvious that under Mi Zhu's arguments, his goal was gradually being achieved.
How could those Yizhou ministers in the main hall let Mi Zhu get his wish so easily?
After seeing that Liu Ba was in a state of confusion after being told by Mi Zhu, another minister soon came out and said:
"Although Liangzhou Mu's behavior in implementing the New Deal is open to question, the fact that Liangzhou Mu slaughtered a large number of good people in order to implement the New Deal is something everyone in Liangzhou knows about.
In the past, Emperor Taizu entered the customs and made a three-chapter treaty with the people, thereby creating the foundation of the emperor's career.
Now that Liangzhou is close to the enemy's territory, Liangzhou's pastoralists do not follow the three chapters of Taizu's agreement, suspending the ban and relaxing the ban, but they still exercise tyranny against the good people. If things go on for a long time, will Liangzhou be able to live in peace?
Shouldn’t such behavior be punished?”
It was Li Chao who said this.
Li Chao was one of the leading celebrities in Yizhou. As soon as he came out and said these words, he immediately aroused the resonance of most of the ministers present.
The story of Mi Yang uprooting many aristocratic families in Liangzhou has already spread in Chengdu over time.
Most of the ministers were from aristocratic families, so they were naturally displeased with Mi Yang's "hatred" of the aristocratic families.
After Li Chao finished speaking, he looked at Mi Zhu.
He saw that Mi Zhu's expression seemed to be getting worse and worse, which made him feel more confident.
Perhaps many people will ignore Mi Zhu's past identity, but Li Chao will not forget it.
Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, and Jian Yong were three famous men who were dedicated lobbyists for Liu Bei back then.
When Liu Bei was alone, these three celebrities allowed many princes to accept and trust Liu Bei. This shows the eloquence of these three celebrities.
So what if you are just good at eloquence?
Can his current body bear it?
Mi Zhu didn't know the malice in Li Chao's heart. When he saw Li Chao raising another point to attack Mi Yang, he immediately argued:
“Government should be based on the circumstances of the time, how can we stick to one method?
The Qin Dynasty died due to cruelty, and the people were dissatisfied with the harsh government. The common people cried out that the world would collapse. Because of this, Taizu promoted relief.
Zhang Lu was secretly weak. For decades, the laws in Hanzhong were relaxed and they supported each other. They did not promote moral governance and did not enforce threats and punishments.
The people of Liang Autonomous Region were arbitrary and self-indulgent, and their loyalty and righteousness had long been forgotten;
Today, General Zuo's authority is based on the law. If you follow the law, you will know the kindness. If you limit it with the title, if you add the title, you will know the honor. The kindness and honor should be combined, and there should be discipline at the top and bottom. This is the key to governance.
Furthermore, those who defy the law in Liangzhou and commit crimes against the "Shu Ke" are guilty of the crime before them. If they do it with an ax and ax, this is the righteousness of the world.
As for the truly virtuous and obedient families, General Zuo has appointed them all, and you will know by sending people to check them out, so there is no need to make false accusations or confuse right and wrong."
After Li Chao listened to Mi Zhu's words, even though he was reluctant, he did not have Mi Zhu's eloquence, so he had no choice but to retreat.
As the courtiers present listened to Mi Zhu's words, the worries about Mi Yang's behavior slowly dissipated on their faces.
When Liu Bei looked at Mi Zhu in front of him, who defeated two famous celebrities one after another, he couldn't help but have a look of memory on his face.
Everyone knows that he is extremely fond of Mi Zhu, and they may just think that they are repaying Mi Zhu's kindness in supporting Mi Zhu with all his family wealth.
But what the world doesn't know is that it's not just because of this that he is so grateful to Mi Zhu.
Looking at the eloquent Mi Zhu with white hair around his temples, Liu Bei seemed to have seen all kinds of past events in him.
When Tao Qian wanted Xuzhou to be a pastor, it was Mi Zhu who worked hard for him, stabilizing his people with his eloquence and influence.
When he was defeated and headed to Jingzhou, Mi Zhu led Sun Qian and Jian Yong to Xiangyang alone to persuade Liu Biao to accept him.
All the past events represent how much effort Mi Zhu put into his great cause, and he has never forgotten all of this.
While Liu Bei was immersed in the past, under Li Chao's secret instructions, many ministers in the hall came one after another to debate Mi Zhu.
They wanted to consume Mi Zhu's life and death.
After Zhuge Liang discovered this scene, he certainly could not sit back and watch Mi Zhu being besieged.
So under his instruction, many ministers began to join Mi Zhu's side and defend Mi Yang with him.
And with Mi Zhu's excellent eloquence, many ministers in the hall who were originally neutral began to change their attitude to support Mi Yang.
When Mi Zhu noticed this, he knew that his first goal had been achieved.
Now it's time for him to send in his trump card.
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!