In the Wenhua Hall, the ministers at the bottom bowed their heads to invite the emperor, while the emperor at the top remained silent.
It was obvious that there were differences of opinion between the two parties, and no one was willing to compromise.
It should be said that this kind of situation is extremely rare in today's Jingtai Dynasty, and the only thing that makes people remember it is the debate about heirship or Zen before he ascended the throne.
Most of the time, the emperor is too clever to let himself fall into a situation where he completely disagrees with his courtiers. Even if it happens occasionally, the emperor will often take the initiative to give in.
The current situation of confrontation between monarch and ministers is really rare.
However, things have reached such a point that the ceremony of leaving the court after the spring hunt is already the biggest concession for the courtiers.
Even if Zhu Qiyu revealed the prince's physical condition, it would be difficult to shake the determination of these ministers to firmly establish the crown prince's status.
It can be said that unless Zhu Qiyu used the authority of the emperor to suppress it at this time, the courtiers would never change their minds.
After all, to the courtiers, the prince is first the prince, and then a four-year-old child. Moreover, since he is not their own child, he naturally does not feel any pain.
Not to mention, the current prince may not hurt even those who deserve to be hurt.
So in essence, now, either the emperor uses his authority to suppress, or he can only compromise and let the prince leave the cabinet as soon as possible. There is no other way.
Many ministers present actually knew more or less that the method of forcing courtiers to do their jobs was not something the emperor was willing to use, because if used too much, it would alienate the emperor and his ministers, which would cause problems in the daily government affairs of the court.
The situation was deadlocked and the atmosphere became a little cold. After a while, the emperor finally took the lead in breaking the confrontation.
However, the emperor neither gave in nor pressed. Instead, he turned his gaze to Zhu Yi and said in a deep voice.
"Since this is the escort general Zhu Yi, why did he not say a word after entering the palace?"
As a result, all the ministers' eyes fell on the young Zhu Yi beside him, and most of them couldn't help but feel a hint of worry in their expressions.
Seeing this, the emperor was a little irritated, and he couldn't get angry with the ministers present, so he could only pick on the weak.
After all, Zhu Yi is the one who submitted the memorial. If he cannot withstand the pressure of the emperor, then this matter may really have another setback.
However, what surprised the ministers was that when faced with the emperor's obviously unkind tone, this young man in his twenties did not panic at all. Instead, he stepped forward without being humble or condescending, and said with a cup of his hand.
"Reporting to your majesty, although this statement is from me, my official position is low. Although I was summoned to the imperial court, I did not receive your majesty's attention, and I did not dare to speak at will."
These words were very respectful, but it was not difficult to hear the alienation in them.
All the ministers present looked at each other and couldn't help but sigh. They had long heard that the Duke of Chengguo had a rift with His Majesty earlier, so they accepted the marriage offer from the Empress Dowager of Shangsheng and the Duke of England.
marriage.
Now it seems that it is actually true.
Looking at the current situation, I am afraid that not only His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Chengguo Palace, but Zhu Yi also has resentment towards His Majesty in his heart.
"Don't you dare?"
As expected, the emperor snorted softly, his face darkened, he closed the memorial in front of him and said coldly.
"General Zhu has handed this memorandum to my emperor, what else can you not dare to do?"
"Humph, the official position is low. What a low-ranking official. I am an escort general. The last memorial was able to alarm a lot of princes and uncles. Even the great uncle of the Ministry of Rites was willing to attach his name to it. I really found it. A good escort general!"
As he spoke, Zhu Qiyu's eyes wandered over Zhu Yi and Hu Xi for a moment, and he seemed to be pointing.
"If I remember correctly, General Zhu, your wife is the daughter of Hu Shangshu, right?"
This was just short of saying that Zhu Yi and Hu Hui were colluding secretly, which shows how excited the emperor was at this moment.
However, facing such a powerful and powerful emperor, Zhu Yi remained neither humble nor arrogant, and knelt down on the ground and said.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that Hu Shangshu is indeed my father-in-law. However, I have been taught by my father since childhood that any important affairs of the court should not be mixed with personal affairs."
"The reason why I have come to this meeting is because I am dedicated to the imperial court, your majesty, and the plan of the Eastern Palace. If the foundation of the country is laid, the country will be strong. If the Eastern Palace is established, the government will be safe. If the prince is virtuous, all the people will respect him. I will assist your majesty above and the people will be safe below." , it is indeed what all the people expect and what all ministers hope for."
"For this reason, even though I have a humble position, as soon as I read the manuscript, all the honorable ministers and great uncles were willing to jointly start the memorial. This is the sincerity of all the ministers and has nothing to do with the minister's concubine."
These words were spoken calmly, but they obviously made the emperor even more angry. The emperor looked at Zhu Yi coldly and said.
"Wise words and charm!"
"You still dare to mention your father to me. During the battle at Yao'erling, your father lost his master and humiliated the country. He was restrained by traitorous eunuchs, underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. As a result, the bandits cut off our army's supplies, besieged the buildings, brought the emperor to ashes, and put the ancestral temple in danger. "
"In consideration of your past achievements, I allowed you to carry your father's body back to the capital and be buried with the rites of a duke. However, I never thought that you have no gratitude at all for heaven's grace. Now you dare to collude with important ministers privately and discuss court affairs. You have ulterior motives. !”
These words were spoken in a stern tone, clearly filled with anger, and some of the words in them were frightening just to hear.
After all, Zhu Yi was only a young man in his twenties. It was impossible not to be afraid of the emperor's wrath. However, although his body was trembling slightly, he still straightened his back and said.
"Your Majesty clearly understands that I am willing to let the court deal with my father's sins. However, this is completely different from His Majesty the Crown Prince's resignation from the cabinet. Although I have a low official position, I am still a court official of the Ming Dynasty. My words and deeds are only for the sake of the imperial court and have no selfish motives." .”
"As for colluding with important ministers privately, we absolutely would not dare to do so. The reason why all ministers jointly signed this statement is actually because the expectations of everyone in the imperial court are the same, and they want to make your majesty understand the intentions of ministers and others, and the hope of all people."
"Your Majesty's heavenly grace is so great that I always keep it in mind and dare not slack off in the slightest. It is for this reason that I have to risk my life to explain things and make Your Majesty so angry. It is really because of my lack of consideration.
The crime of disrespect."
"I am willing to resign from my official position and return to the government to serve as a minister. I hope that your majesty will temporarily calm down his anger, put the government and the people first, and order the East Palace to leave the cabinet as soon as possible. What I want is also the wish of the military and civilians in the government and the public!"
Facing the emperor's scolding, it can be seen that although Zhu Yi was afraid, he was unwilling to bow his head. In fact, after saying these words, he took off his official hat and kowtowed deeply.
However, this posture undoubtedly made the emperor even more angry, and he said directly.
"Zhu Yi, you are so presumptuous!"
"Do you really think that I won't destroy the lintel of your Duke Chengguo's mansion?"
"I don't dare!"
Zhu Yi's body was trembling slightly, but her voice tried to remain steady as she said.
"All titles in the world are bestowed by Your Majesty. Whether they exist or are abolished, your Majesty's heart and soul are all due to Your Majesty's favor. I dare not complain at all."
"But I still want to say that no matter how your Majesty deals with me and the Chengguo Palace, it has nothing to do with the East Palace's cabinet. I dare not comment on whether the lintel of the Chengguo Palace still exists."
"But as long as I am still a minister of the Ming Dynasty, I will admonish Your Majesty to order the East Palace to come out of the pavilion to study as soon as possible, lay a foundation for the preservation of the country, this is my duty, and I hope Your Majesty will accept your admonition!"
This chapter has been completed!