After Emperor Chongzhen read the two memorials, his face became even more serious. He asked his chamberlain to take down the two memorials and show them to Zhong Jinwei and Wen Tiren.
After committing suicide, Feng Yuntai, the minister of Taipu Temple, fled back to the capital."
He looked at Zhong Jinwei and Wen Tiren reading two memorials respectively, and then said: "Master Sun's memorial said that according to Feng Yuntai, the minister of Taipu Temple, there were only three taels of silver left in Luanzhou's treasury, and the soldiers guarding the city were short of food.
Even the number of soldiers was less than one-tenth, and the rest were civilians who were temporarily captured. All the money and wages went into the hands of Zhang Wenxiu and Li Jiquan. They learned that the capital was fully anti-corruption and were afraid of the court's investigation, so they joined the construction industry.
prisoner."
It is currently impossible to find out what the truth is, because the relevant people died and were surrendered, and only Feng Yuntai's side of the story was given.
Zhong Jinwei and Wen Tiren had just finished reading the memorial, and the main content of the memorial was what the emperor had just said.
They both looked at Emperor Chongzhen, and finally Wen Tiren spoke: "Your Majesty, this murder case must be concluded as soon as possible based on the previous conclusion!" [
Emperor Chongzhen looked at Wen Tiren and realized that what he meant was that everything could not be dealt with one by one, so he used the method of pardon to get over this issue and start the system reform.
This matter cannot be delayed any longer. There is already an example like Luanzhou. If it continues to be delayed, I wonder if Master Sun will be able to restrain those generals involved in corruption in King Qin's army from joining the rebels.
If all these generals who led troops surrendered to the Jianlu, the problem would be very serious, and the Ming Dynasty would not be able to bear the consequences.
But if this happens, the problem turns back to what should we do if we are in arrears with the wages of the border troops?
Emperor Chongzhen thought of this and took a look at Zhong Jinwei to see if Master Zhong, who kept giving him wonderful advice and suggestions, had any solution.
It was almost evening at this time, and the remaining light of winter entered the Wenhua Hall, reflecting on Zhong Jinwei's body, as if it was coated with a layer of golden light, a bit like the legendary Buddha who can save everyone.
Emperor Chongzhen was indeed not disappointed. After a while, he saw Master Zhong's brows relax, and he said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have an idea, I don't know if it is okay."
"Master Zhong, speak quickly." Emperor Chongzhen said quickly.
"These corrupt officials who have been caught are ordered to hand over the money they embezzled, and the emperor will no longer hold them responsible for their crimes. In this way, not only are their crimes pardoned, but the court also has money."
After hearing this, Wen Tiren shook his head and said: "Uncle Zhongxing, this method is inappropriate. Many corrupt officials have already spent their money. It is impossible for them to hand over all their money."
.”
"Then let's discuss how much to pay. These corrupt officials who have been caught must pay some blood so that the court can rescue them and they can be exempted from their guilt. This is a two-fold deal." Zhong Jinwei withdrew the suggestion.
Let’s take one step at a time.
Wen Tiren wanted to say more, but Emperor Chongzhen patted the imperial case and said, "I think this proposal is very good."
"Your Majesty, as for the corrupt officials who have not yet been discovered, will they be forgiven for all their crimes?" Wen Tiren asked another question.
"Master Zhong, what do you think?" Emperor Chongzhen did not answer immediately, but asked Zhong Jinwei for his opinion.
Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment and replied: "Your Majesty, just consider it their luck and pardon them. But leave a hole open for future investigation."
"It is stated when pardoning that if a criminal is found to have particularly serious circumstances and a particularly large impact, he will still be held accountable." Zhong Jinwei gave this explanation with reference to the pardon order before the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
"Your Majesty, I think this law is appropriate. If people with particularly serious corruption are allowed to go unpunished, the world will be too unfair." Wen Tiren expressed his opinion.
Of course Emperor Chongzhen doesn't want to let go of such a person. If possible, he doesn't want to let anyone go. But now he has no choice but to compromise.[
He thought for a while and asked worriedly: "Am I just going to issue an edict to pardon their crimes? Isn't it difficult to explain to the people and future generations?"
Zhong Jinwei felt that this was what it meant.
But Wen Tiren was not an outsider like Zhong Jinwei, and did not understand the face psychology of people at that time. He thought that this too naked statement would definitely not work, because the court wanted face, and the emperor also wanted face. So what reason was there?
Woolen cloth?
Suddenly, Wen Tiren thought of a way. He reminded Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the emperor's eldest son is two years old. It is a happy event!"
When Wen Tiren said this, he emphasized the word "eldest son" very hard.
Emperor Chongzhen was stunned when he heard this. He was obviously discussing court affairs, but why did he turn to my prince?
But after hearing Wen Tiren's emphasis on the word "eldest son" and looking at Wen Tiren, seeing the solemn expression on his face, he suddenly understood. He asked Wen Tiren: "What does Wen Qing mean?"
"It's your Majesty's wish." Wen Tiren quickly interrupted Emperor Chongzhen.
Zhong Jinwei couldn't understand what these two people were talking about, and he fainted. He really didn't know what they were doing.
"Well, I know, let me think about it." After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he sat on the throne, looked down at the imperial case, and put one hand on his forehead.
Zhong Jinwei looked at Emperor Chongzhen's actions, obviously thinking, and thinking about something very important.
He didn't understand, so he went to see Wen Tiren again, only to see that the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty was looking at Emperor Chongzhen with a solemn expression.
Zhong Jinwei was a little puzzled. It was difficult to ask in this situation, so he had to hold back his questions and wait for them to reveal the answer to this question.
Winter has fallen, and the light in the Wenhua Hall has dimmed. The chamberlains quietly lit the candles in the Wenhua Hall.
When Zhong Jinwei was about to become impatient with the waiting, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly sat up straight, raised his head and said to Wen Tiren: "I have decided to make Crown Prince Ci the crown prince and grant amnesty to the world."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, it turned out that the reason they were flirting with each other just now was because of this! However, this seemed to be a good excuse.
That is to say, we have the excuse, we have the plan, now it's the details and implementation, then we should have nothing to do, and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief, Zhong Jinwei thought.
After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he looked at Zhong Jinwei and said, "I will take this opportunity to reward some meritorious officials."
Zhong Jinwei nodded after hearing this. Those who have made meritorious deeds in Changli should be rewarded, and those who have made meritorious deeds in King Qin's army should also be rewarded.
After Emperor Chongzhen said this, he said to Wen Tiren: "The discussion today is of great importance. Wen Qing wrote down everything he said, and Master Zhong checked and filled in the gaps. After writing, we will discuss it again.
After a discussion, it will be implemented step by step."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wen Tiren bowed and replied.
"Okay, Your Majesty." Zhong Jinwei has no problem.[
After finally discussing the current situation of the court and the regulations for the future, Emperor Chongzhen felt numb and stood up to move his body a little. Only then did he realize that the sky was already dark, and the candlelight in the Wenhua Hall was dim.
Don't know when it was lit.
So, he told the chamberlain who was moving the copywriting and taking the four treasures of the study: "I'd better eat here and make preparations."
Then he said to Wen Tiren and Zhong Jinwei: "Wen Qing and Master Zhong can finish the dinner with me and then sort it out."
After hearing this, the two of them expressed their gratitude and ate the meal.
Because they had something to do, no matter whether it was Emperor Chongzhen, the Chief Minister of the Ming Dynasty or Zhong Jinwei, they quickly solved their stomach problems and began to immerse themselves in work.
After about half an hour, they were sorted out and presented to Emperor Chongzhen who had been waiting for a long time.
The contents of this document are much clearer after being organized. According to the order of things to be done, there is a long list.
The three of them discussed the details based on the above content. After about an hour, the discussion was complete.
Emperor Chongzhen ordered Wen Tiren: "Wen Qing, please reveal the contents to the cabinet first, unify the ideas, and then discuss with the civil servants. If you have different opinions, write them down and discuss them again. If someone puts forward completely contradictory opinions,
, tell me your name, I will deal with it first and then we can talk."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wen Tiren replied.
"I will send Master Sun to see me tomorrow morning and ask him to negotiate with those generals, and we will do the same. I have already given in. If anyone wants to be ignorant, don't blame me." Emperor Chongzhen said firmly.
After he finished speaking, his voice turned soft again, and he said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, I have been fighting outside these days. Thank you for your hard work. Please go home and have a good rest. I will see you again if I need anything."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After hearing what Emperor Chongzhen said, Zhong Jinwei also felt physically exhausted. The fatigue of these days cannot be recovered by sleeping all night.
After Emperor Chongzhen asked his chamberlain to escort the two of them out of the Forbidden City, he ordered them to drive to Kunning Palace.