Huang Zongxi and Zhang Huangyan unanimously requested that Fang Yizhi and other scholars be controlled first. If they were sure to be fine, it would not be too late to release them after screening.
In a word, I would rather catch a mistake than let it go.
Gao Qiqian, who was standing next to him, was dumbfounded as he listened.
I wonder why these scholars are like this?
On the surface, there is harmony, but behind the scenes, there is no mercy at all?
Or are Huang Zongxi and Zhang Huangyan just acting, deliberately pretending to be cruel officials and lonely ministers in front of the Long Live Lord?
But Chongzhen shook his head and said: "Huang Xiaozi, by Zhang Xuan, have you ever thought about it. If the scholars on the list will be arrested because they drank with Chen Zhenhui, then should those scholars who drank with Chen Zhenhui before be arrested?"
"Of course we have to arrest him," Zhang said anxiously. "After thorough investigation, we can clear his name."
"How to restore his innocence? Once he enters the prison of your secret investigation department, it is like a white paper stained with ink spots, how to wash it off?" Chongzhen said quietly, "You must know that bad words can hurt people, let alone a prison sentence.
"
After a pause, he continued: "The vast majority of scholars may have normal interactions with Chen Zhenhui, and nothing else is involved at all. If they were arrested just because they had a drink with Chen Zhenhui, how many scholars would be chilled from now on? It would be heartbreaking.
It is very easy to feel cold, but it is difficult to warm the heart."
In fact, there is one sentence that Chongzhen did not say.
Although this kind of exercise-style correction has good effects, the side effects are also very serious.
Of course, the most important thing is that we are not at this stage now and there is absolutely no need.
Generally speaking, campaign-style rectification is only needed when a group or country's governance has become corrupt to a considerable extent. This campaign-style rectification may result in many unjust and false accusations, but the overall effect is excellent.
For example, if the officials of the Sixth Department stand in a row to behead people, they will inevitably kill the wrong person.
But if every other official is killed, then the officials killed must all deserve to be killed.
But Prince Qin would never go so far, and Chongzhen believed that he was far from the point of doing so.
If Qin Wang Shizi is regarded as a political party, this party has only been established for four years and is in its most vigorous stage. Party members at this stage will only risk their lives to practice their ideals.
Chongzhen never believed that this new party would experience widespread corruption or rebellion in such a short period of time, because this completely violated objective laws.
However, widespread censorship can really make this new party lose its cohesion.
With this judgment, the purpose of handling this incident is basically determined-discuss the matter as it is and never expand it!
Seeing that Chongzhen opposed large-scale screening, Zhang Huangyan and Huang Zongxi stopped saying anything. They actually didn't want to do this, but their status as envoys forced them to express their stance.
While he was talking, Gao Qi sneaked in and reported: "Long live the Lord, the people from the Secret Investigation Department want to see you."
Chongzhen glanced at Zhang Huangyan and said, "There must be something urgent. Let him come in quickly."
Gao Qiqian said yes, and immediately went out and led a spy from the Secret Investigation Department into Yilun Hall.
"Your Majesty, a rumor suddenly spread in Nanjing not long ago that Jiannu had bribed a large number of Qinwang scholars through Chen Zhenhui. When His Majesty learned about it, he became furious and ordered the Secret Investigation Division and Supervision Division to conduct a thorough investigation. Nanjing City is about to
If a great prison were to arise, hundreds of scholars and their families would be killed."
"What a vicious plan!" Huang Zongxi said solemnly, "Hou Fangyu is trying to muddy the waters."
Zhang Huang said: "In this case, it will be easy to find out the case, and once it is checked, it will chill people's hearts."
Huang Zongxi said: "If it is not clarified, even if it is not thoroughly investigated, it will still chill people's hearts."
"It's not that easy to fish in troubled waters right under my nose." After a pause, Chongzhen continued, "Pass an edict to immediately summon all the Qin Wang scholars on the list to come to Yilun Hall."
Zhang Huang said: "Your Majesty, Meng Xueli, Feng Guofan and Yuan Fuzhong are also summoned?"
Chongzhen thought for a while and then asked Zhang Huangyan: "How many people know about the arrest of Meng Xueli by the Secret Investigation Division?"
"Almost no one knows," Zhang Huangyan said without hesitation, "because he was arrested at night, and Meng Xueli rented alone in Qingshui Lane, and his wife and children are not in Nanjing."
Chongzhen immediately said: "In this case, Meng Xueli will be secretly escorted to Yilun Hall immediately. I want to see him first. As for Feng Guofan and Yuan Fuzhong, I will summon them together later, and then let Zuixian Tower prepare fifteen
The banquets waiting on the table will be sent to Yilun Hall as soon as possible. I want to invite the scholars on the list to a banquet and have a good time with them over wine."
Huang Zongxi's Zhang Huangyan's heart moved slightly when he heard this.
Both of them had guessed Chongzhen's intention.
Does the Holy Spirit intend to let Meng Xueli act as a counter-insurgent?
…
At noon, more than a hundred scholars on the list came to Yilun Hall one after another.
When Fang Yizhi was the last one to walk into the Yilun Hall, he saw that fifteen Eight Immortals tables had been set up in the lobby, and each Eight Immortals table was filled with scholars.
"Brother Mi."
Seeing Fang Yizhi coming in, many scholars stood up and bowed.
Fang Yizhi bowed to each other one by one, and was finally led to sit at the head table.
"The Holy Spirit has arrived." Accompanied by Gao Qiqian's sharp and high-pitched chants, Chongzhen strode in with Meng Xueli.
More than a hundred scholars avoided the table one after another to see the ceremony. Chongzhen bowed his head, and then all the scholars returned to their seats one after another.
Including Meng Xueli, who followed Chongzhen in, also walked to the table where Yuan Fuzhong and Feng Guofan were sitting and sat down.
Yuan Fuzhong and Feng Guofan winked at Meng Xueli, while Meng Xueli shook his head slightly, not knowing what they meant.
After the ceremony, Chongzhen did not rush to sit down. Instead, he took out a list and said, "Here is a list. All your names are on it."
After hearing this, many people's expressions suddenly changed.
Especially Yuan Fuzhong and Feng Guofan, they almost wanted to jump up and run away.
Only Fang Yizhi looked calm, minding his own business, picked up the kuaizi, and picked up a piece of pork.
It was too much. The emperor didn't even move quickly, but he was the first to feast.
Ruan Dacheng, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but remind him in a low voice: "Brother Mi, Your Majesty hasn't moved quickly yet."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "What are you afraid of? The Holy Spirit has already said that we are invited to have a banquet. If we don't eat, we will be disobeying the decree."
"Look at what you said, it's right to have an extended banquet, but you can't be in such a hurry. You have to wait for the Holy One to act quickly."
"I don't have time." Fang Yizhi took a sip of Mingjiu and said with a slur in his mouth, "After eating, we have to go back to work quickly. With all the work in the Gewu Branch, we really can't waste a moment."
Fang Yizhi and Chongzhen were sitting at the same table, and Chongzhen was still standing and talking.
Fang Yizhi kept drinking cups, and they all fell into Chongzhen's eyes, but Chongzhen didn't see them.
Gao Qiqian really wanted to give Fang Yizhi a thumbs up, thinking that this person really understands Long Live Lord. Long Live Lord hates red tape very much. There is no such thing as banquet etiquette. For Long Live Lord, he works sincerely for the Ming Dynasty.
It is the greatest courtesy and the greatest loyalty, and everything else is nonsense and useless.
There was an uncontrollable smile on Chongzhen's lips: "But don't worry, sir, these little tricks to deceive me are nothing more than idiots talking about dreams. How can I meet you just because you and Chen Zhenhui have had a few drinks with each other?"
Do you think Hou Fangyu and Chen Zhenhui want to use such despicable means to alienate the relationship between you and me? They are really naive."
Hearing this, Feng Guofan and Yuan Fuzhong couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Before coming here, both of them were worried about being imprisoned by Chongzhen.
But listening to Chongzhen's words, it seems that he means to let bygones be bygones? If this is the case, they will change their minds, cut off all contact with Chen Zhenhui from now on, and work for the Ming Dynasty in a down-to-earth manner. Of course, the prerequisite is that the benefits cannot be divulged.
Chongzhen said again: "I am holding a banquet in Yilun Hall today. Firstly, because I have not waited for a banquet with you for a long time, and I miss you very much. Secondly, I want to tell you not to pay attention to the rumors in the market. I am very fond of you."
Your trust is still as strong as before, and you will never be indiscriminately suspicious because of the alienation of the enemy's spies."
All the scholars were stunned for a moment, and then they raised their wine bottles and said, "Holy Lord, Holy Ming."
Chongzhen smiled and said: "I also hope that you can still be like the king of Qin and not forget your original intention."
"I will never forget my original intention." Fang Yizhi responded loudly, and the other scholars responded one after another, creating a warm atmosphere.
"Hahaha, okay, we won't get drunk today or go home." Chongzhen said and took his seat, and then said, "Don't worry about getting drunk and delaying things. I have specially approved that you should take a rest today. Today is a rest day!"
"I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." All the scholars expressed their thanks in unison.
But Fang Yizhi stood up with a lick of lips: "Your Majesty, is there anything else?"
"No more." Chongzhen nodded, "All that's left is the banquet."
"Then I have to take a step first and say goodbye." After Fang Yizhi said that, he turned around and left.
Chongzhen shook his head. He sat down and was dumbfounded when he looked at it. Wucao, where is my favorite braised pork?
…
By going to the toilet, Yuan Fuzhong was finally able to be alone with Meng Xueli.
"Brother Meng." Yuan Fuzhong asked in a low voice, "What did the Holy One say to you?"
"What else can I say?" Meng Xueli sighed and said helplessly, "Hand over all the stolen money and he can pretend that nothing happened, otherwise he will be severely punished."
"Did you hand it over?" Yuan Fuzhong asked again.
"Can I refuse to pay?" Meng Xueli said angrily.
"If I don't hand it over, not only will my life be in danger, but my wife and children will also not be in danger."
After a pause, Meng Xueli continued: "I advise you two to hand over the stolen money as soon as possible. If you hand over the stolen money voluntarily, you can let bygones be bygones, otherwise it will be embarrassing when the Secret Investigation Department comes to your door."
"Fuck it, hand it on, we'll do it when we get back." Yuan Fuzhong agreed repeatedly.
After hastily wiping his butt, Yuan Fu returned to the wine table and whispered a few words to Feng Guofan.
At that time, Yuan Fuzhong and Feng Guofan came to say goodbye to Chongzhen, saying that there were urgent matters that needed to be dealt with.
Not only did Chongzhen not doubt it, he comforted the two of them and asked the young eunuch to send them out.
After leaving Yilun Hall, Yuan Fuzhong and Feng Guofan did not go back to the Mission and Education Department and the Transport Department to go to work. Instead, they went straight to the Shaanxi Guild Hall outside Jinchuan Gate.
