The reason is very simple. Chongzhen's "evil deeds" were not made public, nor were they mentioned in front of the official Jin Gentlemen, so Yuan Pengnian could not use them to attack him.
For example, last night in the carriage, the two of them actually had a complete falling out.
Yuan Pengnian not only scolded the emperor, but even called Chongzhen by his first name, Zhu Youjian. This was a crime of great disrespect.
But tonight, when he arrived at Biyong, Yuan Pengnian had to pay homage to Chongzhen with great respect: "I, Yuan Pengnian, kowtow to the Holy One, may His Majesty be blessed with thousands of blessings and gold."
"Pingshen." Chongzhen solemnly held his hands.
Next is another question and answer session.
There is also no substantive content.
The entire interrogation process only lasted half an hour.
When the officials, gentlemen and gentlemen dispersed, they still had some lingering thoughts.
…
After Qian Qianyi returned home, he hugged Liu Rushi and said, "Madam, it seems that we really have misunderstandings about Your Majesty. Your Majesty does not want to be the Chongzhen Emperor like Gao Hongtu and others said."
"Master." Liu Rushi struggled lightly twice and said coquettishly, "Myolie is still here."
"What are you afraid of?" Qian Qianyi said with a chuckle, "In the worst case, I'll take Xing'er in to fill the house."
After saying that, Qian Qianyi stretched out a hand to Xing'er, who was pouring tea next to him, and Xing'er quickly dodged away.
Liu Rushi's eyebrows suddenly stood up when he saw this, he pinched Qian Qianyi's ear and shouted: "Qian Muzhai, are you too courageous?"
"Eh, eh, eh, madam, please be gentle, it hurts." Qian Qianyi quickly begged for mercy. In fact, Liu Rushi didn't really bother her, it was just fun in the boudoir.
Myolie quickly ran out with a blushing face.
Seeing the young lady and the old man being so loving, she was also happy.
Qian Qianyi hugged Liu Rushi and sat down on his lap. He moved his hands up and down and said with emotion: "I heard people say before that after the saint went to Meishan to realize Taoism, he seemed to be a different person. I didn't quite believe it, but today I really believe it."
, The Holy One today is really different from the Holy One of the past, they are really incomparable, they are just as different as clouds and mud."
"Is it so exaggerated?" Liu Rushi asked curiously, "Master, please tell me."
"How do you say this?" Qian Qianyi slowly immersed himself in the memories of the past. "The previous sages were suspicious by nature, had a bad temper, were mean and ungrateful, and frequently killed feudal officials and even cabinet ministers, but now the sages are
He is humble and courteous, benevolent and generous, and has a broad mind. He is even more courteous to ministers."
"How big a crime is regicide and rebellion?"
"If it were Emperor Taizu Gao, I don't know how many people he would have killed."
"But your Majesty doesn't even want to build a big prison, and there is no such thing as implicating me and copying the melons."
"Alas, I have only seen such emperors and husbands in history books. It is said that Renzong of Song Dynasty was like this. To have such a benevolent emperor in our Ming Dynasty is really a blessing to officials and the people."
Liu Rushi tilted his head and said, "Furthermore, the Holy Emperor knows the soldiers better than Song Renzong."
"Oh yes, the Holy One knows the soldiers." Qian Qianyi said with a sigh, "Before tonight, my husband, Gao Hongtu, Jiang Yueguang and the others were equally worried that the Holy One would become the second Yongle Emperor after taking control of the military power, but now they no longer have such worries
, Such a benevolent king will use it with caution even if he holds a butcher's knife, and will never kill indiscriminately."
Liu Rushi said thoughtfully: "Is this the heart of a Bodhisattva and the means of thunder?"
Qian Qianyi's eyes lit up and he said: "Madam, this sentence is very appropriate. Your Majesty is really a bodhisattva with a heart of thunder and thunderous means. By the way, madam, where did you get such a good sentence?"
Liu Rushi said: "I saw it from an ancient Buddhist scripture."
"I'll look for it later for my husband to have a look." Qian Qianyi said with a low smile, "But now, my husband wants to take his wife to Wushan to have some fun."
…
At the same time, at Jiang Yueguang's mansion.
Zhang Youyu, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, came to look for him at Yinye.
"Mr. Jiang Ge, what do you think His Majesty's intention is?" Zhang Youyu asked with a frown.
Jiang Yueguang was also at a loss, but he pretended to be confident: "What else could it be? Of course it is to show weakness to our Donglin Party."
Jiang Yueguang said: "It also means to comfort us."
"That's true." Zhang Youyu was convinced when he heard this, "What the Holy One said and did today in Piyongming Hall does not seem to be a lie. From this point of view, it should be impossible to raise the prison, let alone Zang Lian and Gua Man.
There will be."
"I think so too," Jiang Yueguang said, "So, please stop saying those words that are not conducive to the Holy One, lest these words fail to be fulfilled in the future and instead ruin the reputation of our Donglin Party."
I bet the rumors against Chongzhen during this period were put out by the Donglin Party.
Zhang Youyu thought for a moment and asked: "Mr. Jiang Ge, are you going to send someone to ask for instructions from Mr. Gao Ge again?"
"No need." Jiang Yueguang was a little unhappy. Why should he ask Gao Hongtu for instructions on everything? Do you think I'm just a decoration?
Zhang Youyu also realized that he had made a mistake, and when he had nothing to say, he said: "Mr. Jiang Ge, the words and deeds of the Holy One in Piyongming Hall today were really touching. All the officials and gentlemen who were listening were deeply moved."
After a pause, he said again: "Do you think Mr. Gao Ge will be reformed?"
"Zhang Jinghan, what are you talking about?" Jiang Yueguang scolded angrily.
"Yes, yes, I made a mistake." Zhang Youyu quickly apologized, said a few words and then left.
After personally escorting Zhang Youyu out of the back door, Jiang Yueguang looked at the night sky and thought deeply. Chongzhen's benevolence, righteousness, magnanimity and obedience to the rules really didn't seem to be a show. Facing such a good emperor, was it really necessary to be so stiff?
What's more, it is true that the Holy One did not usurp any power from the cabinet before.
Jiang Yueguang couldn't help but fell into deep thought.
…
At the same time, in a dormitory of the Imperial College.
Zhu Cijiong asked Chongzhen in confusion: "Father, do you really want to reconcile with the Donglin Party?"
"Reconciliation with the Donglin Party?" Chongzhen said coldly, "It is impossible to reconcile with the Donglin Party. It will never be possible in this life. If the Donglin Party is not eliminated, the court will never have peace!"
Zhu Cijiong said: "Then why were you so polite to Gao Hongtu and the others in Piyongming Hall today?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Third brother, are you stupid?" Zhu Cixiang, who was lying on the bed nursing his butt injury, interjected, "Father is acting, and he did this to make Gao Hongtu and the others say something
Get it out."
I have to say that Zhu Cizheng is actually quite smart.
Chongzhen smiled and said: "Zhen'er, you are only half right."
Zhu Cizheng pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up and he said: "I understand, my father did this not to deceive Gao Hongtu and the four of them, but to make others believe that you, father, can deceive them."
"I still can't tell the truth." Chongzhen continued, "My father did this to calm people's hearts, because the things to be done next cannot be done without the support of the officials, gentry and common people."
The next things to do are, first, to recruit troops on a large scale, second, to reform the Imperial College, and third, to vigorously develop industry. None of these three things can be separated from the strong support of Jiangnan officials, gentry, and people.
Especially the third step of vigorously developing industry cannot be achieved without the participation of the common people of Jin gentry.
If the regicide case is used to make a big connection, or even to engage in melon fraud, it will be happy and the hatred will be relieved, but it will inevitably upset the hearts of the court and the people. When the time comes, we will recruit troops, reform the Imperial College, and vigorously develop industry.
The difficulty is much greater, which is not a good thing for Ming Dynasty.
The sky is vast and the earth is vast, and the Northern Expedition is the greatest cause.
The focus at this stage is the Northern Expedition to establish slavery!
However, Zhu Cijiong still had a question mark on his forehead.
Zhu Cijiong said: "Father, I know how to calm people's hearts, but what about convincing others that you can trick Gao Hongtu and the four of them out?"
Chongzhen smiled and said: "You will know tomorrow night."
Zhu Cijiong then turned his gaze to Zhu Cijiong: "Fifth brother, please tell me."
"Father, can my son and ministers speak?" Zhu Cizhen asked Chongzhen.
"No." Chongzhen shook his head and said, "If you have the ability, just think for yourself. If you don't, just wait until the answer is revealed tomorrow night. As for now, just sleep honestly."
…
Time soon came to the evening of the next day.
All the reputable officials and gentry in Nanjing came to the Yong Ming Hall of the Imperial College one after another, and the scholars had already surrounded the square outside the Ming Hall.
It is actually not correct to say that the water is blocked.
Because the four passages in and out of Piyongming Hall are all unobstructed.
At the time of Xu Zheng, the sky was completely dark. Gao Hongtu, Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong, and Li Jinglian, a teacher and student, were once again taken outside the Mingtang, and were still confined to the four corners.
Not long after waiting, Chongzhen also entered the Mingtang with his guards.
The next procedure was the same as last night. The waiter moved a screen to form a circle around the center of the bright hall, lit candles inside, and then the candles outside the bright hall were blown out one after another.
Only the candles inside the screen were still lit, clearly projecting the figures of Chongzhen, Gao Hongtu, and the chamberlains and guards standing behind Chongzhen on the screen.
In the candlelight, Gao Hongtu paid homage to Chongzhen: "My minister, Gao Hongtu, kowtows to the Holy One. May the Holy One be blessed with thousands of blessings and gold."
"Ping Shen." Chongzhen said with a solemn hand, "Mr. Gao Ge, tonight is the last time to ask questions. If you miss today, the case of regicide and treason will be solved. Anyway, the main criminal Du Hongyu has committed suicide, and the thieves who participated in the regicide have also been killed."
They were all killed by the navy, and the thieves who deserved punishment have received the punishment they deserve."
"Besides, I also believe that Yuan Pengnian is innocent."
"As for you, Mr. Gao Ge, you are even less likely to participate in such a treasonous act as regicide."
"The Holy One has seen thousands of miles." Gao Hongtu bowed his hands and said, "The veteran and his four disciples thanked the Holy One for his trust. The veteran and others can only work conscientiously, and their hearts and brains are ruined."
Yuan Pengnian and the other two people outside the hall also bowed to the ground.
Then, Chongzhen briefly asked Gao Hongtu a few questions.
Gao Hongtu also answered one by one, and there were no surprises during the process.
Just when the official Jin Gengzi who was listening in the audience thought that the day would end here, Chongzhen suddenly said: "Old Gao Ge, I still have a few more heartfelt words to say to you."
Gao Hongtu raised his hands and said, "I am all ears."
Chongzhen said: "When we were boating on Xuanwu Lake that day, I had a debate about national policies with Mr. Gao Ge. In the past two days, I have some new ideas and I want to discuss them with you again."
Gao Hongtu said: "Has Your Majesty finally figured it out?"
"That's what I think." Chongzhen said noncommittally, "Controlling civilized force with civilized force has the advantage of using civilized force with civilized force, but emphasizing both civil and military forces also has the advantage of emphasizing both civil and military forces. I think both are indispensable."
Hearing this, the civil servant Jin Gentleman who was listening suddenly pricked up his ears.
What's the situation? Didn't we agree to review the case? How can we discuss national policy?
Moreover, it is a major national policy of "controlling military force with civil society" and "paying equal attention to civil and military affairs"!
Now not only the official Jin Genzizi who was listening was confused, but also Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian. What was Zhu Youjian doing? Discussing this with his mentor at this time?
Not to mention Yuan Pengnian and the other three, Gao Hongtu was also a little confused.
Because Chongzhen did talk to him about this that day in Xuanwu Lake.
Gao Hongtu even had some doubts, was Chongzhen really not planning to pursue the case?
At that moment, Gao Hongtu held up his hands and said, "Are the two indispensable? I would like to hear the details."
"Using civility to control military force can prevent military officials from usurping power and separatist feudal towns, but it will also cause the Central Plains dynasty to weaken its military force and lose its deterrent effect on surrounding barbarians. Paying equal attention to civil and military forces can enable the Central Plains dynasty to maintain a deterrent effect against surrounding barbarians, but it cannot avoid military officials usurping power and feudal towns.
The disaster of separatism, both of them have shortcomings but also have advantages."
“If we can take advantage of both strengths, we can exploit the strengths and avoid the weaknesses.”
"But how can we make the most of our strengths and avoid our weaknesses? That's what I think."
"Why not separate the civil and military systems so that they are not subordinate to each other."
Hearing this, Gao Hongtu actually listened and asked: "How to separate them?"
Chongzhen said: "The civil service system is under the control of the cabinet. The selection, evaluation and dismissal of officials are all decided by the cabinet. The government orders of all provinces, prefectures, states and counties are also handed over to the cabinet to the prime minister, and the emperor is not allowed to interfere."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "What about the generals? Doesn't the selection of military generals belong to the Ministry of War?" Gao Hongtu was actually a little fascinated.
The emperor must not interfere with the administration of the cabinet. Isn't this the cabinet they are diligently pursuing?
"Not returned to the Ministry of War." Chongzhen waved his hand and said, "The Ministry of War is only responsible for the construction of towns like Xuzhou and other provinces in the Ming Dynasty. They are handed over to the Ministry of War for assessment and calibration, but the Ministry of War has no right to mobilize troops."
"The military generals are under the control of the emperor and the cabinet cannot interfere."
"When there was a foreign campaign, the emperor would mobilize troops from various provinces in the Ming Dynasty and put them under the command of military generals to conduct foreign campaigns."
"After the war, the town soldiers returned to the provincial towns, and the generals returned to the imperial court. In this way, the generals would not be able to get along with the town soldiers for a long time, thus avoiding the hidden danger of separatist feudal towns."
Hearing this, the officials who were listening, Mr. Jin, were already in an uproar.
It's so unexpected, so sudden. The Holy Spirit proposed this so suddenly. Are you really unprepared?
Gao Hongtu was also completely attracted, because Chongzhen's proposal really surprised him.
At that moment, Gao Hongtu then asked: "The Holy One just mentioned foreign wars. Does the power to launch wars belong to the cabinet or to the emperor? Also, should the money and food come from the Ministry of Household Affairs or from internal funds?"
"It depends on the nature of the war." Chongzhen said, "If the Ming Dynasty was invaded by foreign enemies or a rebellion broke out, the power to initiate the war would belong to the emperor, but the money and food would be paid by the Ministry of Household Affairs."
[Note: This is exactly 4,000 words, but if I break it off here, I will probably be sent a razor blade, so I will continue writing]
"If the Ming Dynasty expands its territory, the final right to launch the war belongs to the cabinet. Without the permission of the cabinet, the emperor has no right to launch foreign campaigns. In addition, the money and food for foreign campaigns are spent by the emperor's internal funds. Correspondingly, the money and food gained from foreign campaigns
It is also under the control of the emperor's internal funds and cannot be contested by the cabinet."
The official who was watching, Mr. Jin, began to make rapid calculations.
It is okay for the emperor to have the power of war to resist invasion and suppress rebellion.
It would be good if the power to launch foreign campaigns was given to the cabinet. This could effectively curb the emperor's personal ambitions and prevent the empire from collapsing due to militarism.
When Chongzhen said this, he began to get a little excited and stood up suddenly.
While pacing inside the screen, Chongzhen said: "Mr. Gao Ge, this is just a rough idea of mine. There are still many details that need to be perfected. At the moment, Mr. Shi Ge has resigned and is at home. The cabinet is short of people. You will return to the cabinet tomorrow.
Take charge of the government, and coordinate with Elder Jiege and Elder General Luge to complete the detailed rules..."
Maybe he was so excited that he stepped on the candle and put it out.
The screen suddenly became dark, and then Chongzhen let out a low cry, as if he had stepped on the air and fallen.
"Long live the Lord!" Gao Qiqi, Lu Jiude's scream, and the clang of weapons being unsheathed rang out in the darkness. It didn't take much to guess that it must be several Yiding barons drawing their swords on warning.
The official Mr. Jin who was listening was very nervous but did not dare to move.
Gao Hongtu's concerned greetings also sounded in the darkness: "Your Majesty, are you okay?"
After a while, the candles in the screen were lit again, and Chongzhen was seen sitting back down, and the Yiding barons behind him had also put away their swords and returned to their positions.
"As long as it's okay, Your Majesty." It was Gao Hongtu who spoke.
After finishing speaking, Gao Hongtu also sat back in his seat.
From the projection on the screen, the official Mr. Jin who was watching could see clearly.
After a pause, Chongzhen said again: "Mr. Gao Ge, are you not resentful of me because of the regicide case and therefore unwilling to return to the cabinet to take charge of matters?"
"Your Majesty, veteran..." Gao Hongtu's voice sounded a little choked.
Gao Hongtu seemed to be moved by Chongzhen, but everyone thought it was normal. After such a thing as regicide and rebellion, the Holy Emperor could still trust Gao Ge Lao so much, Gao Ge Lao should be grateful.
At this time, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian, who were outside Yong, suddenly changed their expressions.
"Teacher!" Li Jinglian suddenly shouted, "Teacher, you must be afraid of what others say!"
Upon hearing this, everyone, including Yuan Pengnian, all looked at Li Jinglian.
However, Gao Hongtu inside the screen was not affected at all. He suddenly avoided the banquet and knelt down on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and said: "Your Majesty, I owe you the divine grace. I really owe you the divine grace..."
Chongzhen hurriedly stepped forward to help Gao Hongtu: "Why should Mr. Gao Ge do this?"
"Teacher, you must be afraid of people's words! You must be afraid of people's words!" Liu Zhengzong also shouted, "Teacher, you must be afraid of people's words!"
However, it was no longer useful. Gao Hongtu was completely immersed in his own emotions and said with choked sobs: "Now that I heard the Holy One's heartfelt words, I also have something to say to the Holy One."
Hearing this, Yuan Pengnian finally reacted, and the hairs all over his body stood up in an instant.
"Teacher!" Yuan Pengnian was not as particular as Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian, so he shouted directly, "Please be careful what you say!"
However, it was too late. Gao Hongtu had choked up and said: "Holy Lord, Du Hongyu's regicide and rebellion in Yangzhou, and Zuo Guangxian's previous frame-up of Ma Mingluan and Zhan Yangzhi, were all instigated by the guilty ministers."
"What?" This time it was no longer an uproar, the whole Piyong was in commotion.
This is too sudden and unexpected. Is Gao Hongtu aware of his conscience?
Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian were going crazy, desperately trying to break free from control.
The officials who were watching, Mr. Jin, also seemed to be showing signs of commotion, but fortunately, the people in the square outside, Mr. Qin, responded quickly and rushed in in a queue, immediately controlling the situation.
Inside the screen, Chongzhen seemed confused: "Mr. Gaoge, what are you talking about?"
"Your Majesty, the guilty minister is not talking nonsense." Gao Hongtu kowtowed, "What the guilty minister said is all the truth. Du Hongyu and Zuo Guangxian were both instructed by me. Those who framed the frame and committed regicide are all guilty ministers. However,
The sinner did this not for his own selfish reasons, but out of public concern. The sinner was worried that the Holy One would engage in military violence and harm the Ming Dynasty, so he had no choice but to take this step. But after hearing the holy words today, the sinner knew
I was wrong, and very wrong..."
Speaking of this, Gao Hongtu broke down in tears, and it seemed that his intestines had even dropped out of regret.
"But, but that's not right." Chongzhen still seemed a little unconvinced, "Du Hongyu said it was Yuan Pengnian who instigated it."
Gao Hongtu cried and said: "Your Majesty, Yuan Pengnian is a disciple of the guilty minister. Du Hongyu was indeed ordered by Yuan Pengnian, but Yuan Pengnian was ordered by the guilty minister."
"Gao Hongtu, are you crazy?" Yuan Pengnian couldn't bear it anymore, and his teacher didn't even shout.
"Are you going to destroy hundreds of years of hard work by our Confucian sages? Do you know that if you do this, you will destroy the plan of civilian government to govern the country?"
"Do you know how serious a crime it is to kill a king?"
"Do you still expect Zhu Youjian to be kind and let you go?"
Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian also completely lost their minds and started roaring.
"Gao Hongtu, are you confused? How could you be so stupid?"
"Gao Hongtu, do you believe Zhu Youjian's nonsense? This is just his plan to attack people's hearts!"
"Old man, Gao Hongtu, you are such an old man!" The final blow came from Zuo Guangxian, the censor of Zuoqiandu. The old official came out from nowhere and said in a stern voice, "You can't do such a simple trick.
I can’t see through it. I, Zuo Guangxian, am really blind. I listened to your instigation and framed Ma Mingluo and Zhan Yangzhi! I hate it so much! I hate it so much!"
Listening to Zuo Guangxian and Yuan Pengnian accusing Gao Hongtu, the officials and gentlemen who were watching were dumbfounded.
Isn’t this too exciting? In this way, is it true that Gao Hongtu instigated Zuo Guang to frame Ma Mingluo and Zhan Yangzhi? Is it true that Gao Hongtu instigated Yuan Pengnian and then used Songjiang to guerrilla Du Hongyu to kill the king?
However, members of the Donglin Party such as Jiang Yueguang and Zhang Youyu turned pale.
Amidst the sound of breathing, the candles around Piyong lit up one after another.
Immediately afterwards, the four screens in the center of the Mingtang were also removed one by one.
[Note: A 6,000-word chapter is equivalent to the fourth update today. Please beg for monthly votes]
