"No one dares to say?" Chongzhen said, "Then I can only say it."
After a brief pause, Chongzhen continued: "Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Emperor Taizu Gao built the Yuejiang Tower specifically to honor the heroes who founded the Ming Dynasty."
"It's just that Taizu later killed a large number of heroes."
"There is no point in building the Yuejiang Tower at this time."
"The construction of Yuejiang Tower was put on hold for nearly three hundred years."
After another pause, Chongzhen said: "I mentioned Yuejiang Tower to you just to tell you that I am not Emperor Taizu Gao. When Emperor Taizu Gao founded the Ming Dynasty, he was older than most of the founding heroes.
He also dealt with government affairs until midnight every day, knowing that he would not live long, so he came up with the idea of killing the founding fathers."
"However, I am only thirty-five years old now, younger than most of you."
"Besides, I am not as diligent as Taizu, Emperor Gao, who always did everything personally."
"However, I hardly care about specific government affairs, so I don't have the trouble of filing paperwork."
"Besides, my body is also quite strong. Dear friends, please don't mind if I say something unpleasant. When you pass away one after another, I will probably still be alive and well."
Upon hearing this, Huang Degong, Zuo Mengeng and others all agreed deeply.
Because Sheng Shang had a really good body, and he trained with the soldiers from the border town every day when he was in Xuzhou. After returning to Nanjing, he did not lose his temper, and he ran and exercised with Qin Wang Shizi every day.
What's more important is that the Holy One is not very greedy for beauty.
So far, I have only secretly found Li Xiangjun.
Therefore, I won’t be hollowed out by women just because I’m in love.
In view of this, they also believed the Holy One who said that he could come to the Umbrella and longevity stick.
Chongzhen waved Zhu Cixiang to him again, and then said: "There is also a prince. Although he is only seventeen years old, he has been training with me in the army for many years. He will continue to train with me in the army in the future. It will not take ten years."
, the prince can combine the benevolence of Prince Yiwen and the military strategy of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and be able to control the officials."
"So, your worries are unnecessary. I will not imitate Taizu Gao Emperor in punishing meritorious officials."
After saying this, Chongzhen continued: "Let's talk about Duke Wei, Duke Bao, Marquis Lingbi and Uncle Chengyi. Although most of them participated in the frame-up case, and Uncle Chengyi was even involved in the regicide case, I have no intention of depriving him of it.
Their titles are because their ancestors have made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty, and their titles should have the same longevity as Zuo, the Ming Dynasty!"
"Same birthday as Guozuo of the Ming Dynasty?" Zheng Zhilong, Huang Degong and others all looked solemn.
But the worry just now has disappeared. It seems that the Holy One really has no intention of killing the hero.
Because the emperor's words are divided into two categories: one is chatting in private, which is rare, and the other is solemnly making a promise in public, which is credible.
What the Holy One is saying now is undoubtedly the latter.
So far, there has never been a precedent for the Holy Father to break his promise in public.
Speaking of this, we have to mention Chongzhen’s Nanmen Limu in Yangzhou and Nanjing.
In the minds of Huang Degong, Zuo Mengeng, Jin Shenghuan and other border generals, Chongzhen was a good emperor who always believed in his words and acted with resounding results.
Zheng Zhilong undoubtedly thinks so now, otherwise he would not have come all the way to Nanjing to meet him this time.
Even the civil and military officials in the court and the people in Jiangnan thought so. The only exception might be Shi Kefa, the chief minister of the cabinet. Chongzhen had already broken his promise once in front of Shi Kefa.
Chongzhen added: "I plan to continue building the Yuejiang Tower. The building is divided into six floors. The first floor is for barons, the second floor is for viscounts, the third floor is for earls, the fourth floor is for marquises, the fifth floor is for dukes, and the last floor is the sixth floor.
It is dedicated to the princes of different surnames, and since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, all the nobles must be listed among them."
"In the future, I will also write into the Emperor Ming's ancestral instructions that no one is allowed to seize the title."
"I promise you that there will never be anything like killing heroes in this dynasty again."
"So you just feel free and bold to make contributions to the Ming Dynasty, and don't worry about whether your achievements will be rewarded."
After a pause, Chongzhen's eyes narrowed and he continued: "Because I don't worry about anyone rebelling at all! No one can succeed in rebelling in the Ming Dynasty! I have this confidence!"
After hearing this, Zheng Zhilong and others had completely given up their worries.
Because from Chongzhen, they really felt the extremely powerful self-confidence of the first class.
"Of course, if you do something wrong, you will definitely be punished." Chongzhen changed the topic and said, "The nobles who made mistakes, such as Duke Wei, Duke Bao, Marquis Lingbi, and Uncle Chengyi, must accept the punishment they deserve."
…
At the same time, in the Duke's Mansion of Wei.
Just as Liu Kongzhao was about to stand up and say goodbye, the housekeeper of the Xu Mansion hurried in: "Master, there is a decree from the Holy Father."
"The Holy Spirit's Oral Order?" Xu Hongji, who had a guilty conscience as a thief, was startled and thought to himself, would the Duke of Wei finally punish them?
Liu Kongzhao, who was standing next to him, felt like he was mourning after hearing this. He thought that even the dignified Duke of Wei could not escape punishment, and he, a little sincere man, could not escape even more. It was over now.
At that moment, Liu Kongzhao left in a hurry from the side door.
Xu Hongji hurried to the gate to greet him.
The person who came to convey the order turned out to be the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, Wang Chengen.
Seeing Xu Hongji, Wang Chengen said calmly: "There is a will."
Xu Hongji quickly knelt down with his family: "Your Majesty, Xu Hongji, respectfully greets you."
"Holy greetings." Wang Chengen bowed his head in the direction of Lion Rock and said, "Wei Guogong Xu Hongji will go to Yuejiang Tower to attend the banquet immediately. I express my gratitude to you."
"Gah? Heading to Yuejiang Tower for a banquet?"
Xu Hongji was completely stunned on the spot. The Yuejiang Tower was not built at all. It was just a foundation. What kind of banquet were they going to?
"Wei Guogong." Wang Chengen smiled faintly and said, "The Holy Emperor's oral message has been transmitted. Please set off for Lion Rock as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult to walk when the sky turns dark."
"Our family still has to go to Baoguo Duke's Mansion to deliver the Holy Spirit's decree, so I'll excuse you now."
After saying that, Wang Chengen turned around and left with a group of Yiding, leaving Xu Hongji messy in the evening breeze.
After a long while, Xu Hongji finally came to his senses and said: "Hurry and prepare the sedan. Forget it, let's prepare the horse."
It was too slow to go to Lion Rock in a sedan chair, so Xu Hongji decided to ride a horse and rush to Lion Rock as quickly as possible.
…
A moment later, Xu Hongji and only a dozen servants rode fast horses and galloped along Gongyuan Street, heading straight for the Lion Rock in the northwest corner.
As a result, I almost bumped into a scholar wearing a robe.
"Where is this..." The scholar began to curse subconsciously, but he stopped after only half a sentence.
Because he had already recognized that the dozen or so servants belonged to the Duke of Wei, and the character "Xu" on their backs was very eye-catching. The Duke of Wei was not someone he could offend, after all, he was not a diligent scholar.
Prince Qin's scholars can freely manipulate nobles, including Wei Guogong.
But the same cannot be said for him, the son of the former Donglin party leader. He has almost become a street rat now, and even his former best friend has turned against him.
Thinking of this, Chen Zhenhui let out a long sigh.
During this period, the reputation of the Donglin Party in Jiangnan Shilin and in the minds of the people has been completely overturned, from the loyal and virtuous ministers before to the treacherous sycophants who can only frame up, regicide and usurp.
Almost all Donglin Party members published statements in the Huangming Times, drawing a clear line with the Donglin Party.
In order to protect herself, Chen Zhenhui also wanted to publish a statement in the Huangming Times, and even spent some money to do so. Unfortunately, she could not even enter the newspaper office.
Then Chen Zhenhui thought of her old friend.
Although this old sweetheart is a little older, she was once a famous prostitute, and it was during the period when MILFs were at their most charming. If she was willing to seduce her, Wang Wei, the editor-in-chief of Huangming Times, would be
Can't bear it.
…
Let’s talk about Xu Hongji later.
Xu Hongji rushed all the way and arrived at Yuejiang Tower on Lion Mountain as quickly as possible.
By this time, the sky had completely darkened, and hundreds of pine torches had been inserted into the foundation of Yuejiang Tower, illuminating the entire Yuejiang Tower foundation as bright as day.
In the light of the fire, hundreds of young eunuchs were busy.
There is a team of young eunuchs arranging bowls, chopsticks and wine bottles, and another team is placing wine jars, which are big wine jars, one jar can hold a stone of wine.
There was also a little eunuch serving the food, which was actually still hot.
What do you mean? Your Majesty really wants to entertain nobles like them in this stupid place?
While slandering in his heart, Xu Hongji quickly came to Chongzhen and paid homage: "Your Majesty, Xu Hongji, kowtows to the Holy One, may His Majesty be blessed with peace of mind."
"Get back on your feet." Chongzhen waved his hand and said with a smile, "Wei Guogong came very quickly, haha."
"Uh..." Xu Hongji didn't know how to answer the question. The key was that he couldn't guess the emperor's thoughts.
Logically speaking, since he participated in the frame-up of Ma Mingluan and Zhan Yang, the Holy Father should be angry.
But looking at the way the Holy One looks now, he doesn't seem to be angry. Anyway, he doesn't quite understand.
"Come, let me introduce you to the Duke of Wei." Chongzhen motioned to Zheng Zhilong and the military generals from the border town to come and introduce them to Xu Hongji one by one. Zheng Zhilong and the military generals were very polite to Xu Hongji.
Xu Hongji became more and more confused. What kind of trouble is the Holy One going to make?
Not only Xu Hongji had this question in his mind, but also the Duke of Baoguo Zhu Guobi, the Marquis of Lingbi Tang Guozuo, the Marquis of Huaiyuan Chang Yanling, the Marquis of Anyuan Liu Changzuo, the Marquis of Zhenyuan Gu Mingjiao, Chengyi Bo Liu Kongzhao, Dongning Bo Jiao Mengxiong, Nanhe Bofang Yiyuanji.
Cheng'anbo, Guo Zuoyong and others were also confused and didn't know why.
By the way, these honorable men all serve in the Beijing camp.
Xu Hongji mobilized the Beijing camp to participate in the frame-up of Ma Mingluan and Zhan Yang, and it was difficult for them to get rid of it.
To put it bluntly, if Gao Hongtu and Zuo Guang succeeded them first, the interests of the Exchange and the Royal Bank of Ming Dynasty would definitely include these nobles, so Chongzhen would not be able to let them go easily.
Amidst the uneasiness of all the nobles, this special night banquet began.
"My lords, please listen to what I have to say." Chongzhen stood up with a wine bottle in his hand and said, "When Emperor Taizu Gao hosted a banquet for the founding heroes, he once said that if you drink from a gold bottle together, you will not spare anyone with a bare sword!"
It’s begun! When Xu Hongji and other nobles heard this, their hearts tightened.
With a sneer, Chongzhen said again: "The meaning of Emperor Taizu Gao has been very straightforward. If you, the founding heroes, are willing to stay safe and keep yourselves, you can enjoy glory and wealth from generation to generation, and your bloodline inheritance can also be with the Ming Dynasty."
Zuo Tongshou, as long as the Ming Dynasty is still there, your title will be..."
"But if anyone dares to be disobedient or do evil."
"Then what's waiting for you is nothing but the sword, deprivation of your title, and even the Yi tribe!"
After saying this, Chongzhen said coldly: "There are quite a lot of nobles who were deprived of their title by Emperor Taizu Gao and merged with the Yi tribe. Do you think it is appropriate for Emperor Taizu Gao to do this?"
The entire Yuejiang Tower was completely silent, with only the river breeze blowing by.
Is it appropriate for Emperor Taizu Gao to do this? It must be appropriate. Who dares to say it is inappropriate?
After a long while, Xu Hongji finally said: "Back to the Holy Father, I think that Emperor Taizu Gao's move was very appropriate. Like Li Shanchang, Lan Yu, Hu Weiyong and others, they really deserved their death."
"I second the proposal." Zhu Guobi and others also agreed one after another.
"Oh, that's right? You said this yourself." Chongzhen sneered.
When Xu Hongji, Zhu Guobi, Chang Yanling and other distinguished officials heard this, they paused in their hearts.
After a pause, Chongzhen continued: "If Jinyiwei and Governor Yingtian are not mistaken, the group of pirates who attacked the Zhan family fleet on the river near Dantu were captured by Caojiang Town and Jingying from Jinshan Daigong Island.
Yes, right? Since then, this group of pirates has been imprisoned in the Jingying prison, so the question is, who is the Dan disciple who let them go?"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty." Xu Hongji hurriedly avoided the banquet and knelt down, "I was not strict with my subordinates and was guilty of negligence."
"Haha, it's a crime of negligence." Chongzhen sneered and said, "In other words, this matter has nothing to do with you, Duke Wei, it's just that Guo Hekuan under you?"
Xu Hongji hurriedly said: "Guo Congkuan, the commander-in-chief of the Beijing camp, Guo Congkuan, is the man who let the pirates go without authorization. He is also a minions of Donglin along with Songjiang guerrilla Du Hongyu. I really don't know this."
"I don't know about it either." Zhu Guobi and others also avoided the table and knelt down.
Liu Kongzhao also wanted to shirk, but in the end he still did not dare to stand up.
Because Xu Hongji and others were not arrested, but Liu Kongzhao was arrested.
At that time, in the prison of Admiral Caojiang's office, had the Holy Lord not arrived, Jin Xuan would have been killed by him. This crime cannot be shied away in any way.
Chongzhen's eyes fell on Liu Kongzhao and asked with a smile: "Uncle Chengyi, Duke Wei, Duke Bao and Marquis Lingbi all said that they had no knowledge. Don't you want to excuse yourself?"
"Bang." The wine bottle in Liu Kongzhao's hand suddenly fell on the stone steps.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty, and I deserve death." Liu Kongzhao turned over and fell to the ground.
"The guilty minister should not have listened to the Donglin Party's misunderstandings, deceived the emperor, and framed Mr. Ma and the Zhan family."
"Okay, finally there is someone who dares to do it." Chongzhen sneered and said, "It's better to admit that you deceived the emperor and ignored your superiors, and framed him. It's better than those cowards who dare to do it but don't have the courage to admit it.
"
Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong, Huang Degong and others looked over.
Xu Hongji, Zhu Guobi and other nobles really wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl in.
