Chapter 546: Someone in the court is easy to handle
When Cao Yubian saw Zhong Jinwei's expression, he was slightly startled and said nothing for a while.
Seeing this, Zhong Jinwei turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said again: "Your Majesty, according to Dongchang Stall Gu Baichuan's interrogation of the traitor Ning Wanwo, the traitor's original purpose was to sneak into the capital through Denglai and bribe the officials of the DPRK and China.
They put pressure on and even transferred frontline generals that the Jianlu were afraid of. In the past, they succeeded many times with this strategy, otherwise they would not have been able to defeat the Ming Dynasty's army again and again."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he was greatly surprised and asked hurriedly: "Is this true?"
In fact, what Emperor Chongzhen said was a redundant question. It was basically impossible to deceive the emperor about what was revealed during the interrogation at the Dongchang Stall.
After hearing this, Cao Yubian couldn't help but sweat in his heart. His original intention was to punish Lu Xiangsheng. Not only to put him in jail, but at least to dismiss him from office. If this idea was made public, and Marquis Zhongxing would say this again,
It's like setting a trap on the person who was bribed.
Thinking of this, he was slightly grateful for Zhong Jinwei's mercy. If Zhongxing Hou had waited for him to speak first before coming up with this trump card, he would not be able to defend himself without saying anything, and it would be inevitable for others to attack him in the future.
Only then did Zhong Jinwei take out a roll of paper from his sleeve, presented it with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is the battle report and the confessions of the three traitors."
The chamberlain on one side did not wait for Emperor Chongzhen's instructions, but consciously stepped forward to take it and presented it to the emperor.
The Wenhua Hall was quiet, everyone was waiting for Emperor Chongzhen to finish reading. While waiting, Wen Tiren looked at Zhong Jinwei and thought that Zhongxing Hou was really becoming more and more experienced in doing things now!
As soon as Zhong Jinwei waited for Emperor Chongzhen to read the information, he began to say: "Your Majesty, after Lu Xiang, the governor of Denglai, was promoted to the post, he made many military achievements, so he was feared by the slave chief Taiji. He tried hard to get rid of him but failed. If
If the court wanted to punish Lu Xiangsheng and stop him from serving as governor of Denglai, wouldn't it be just following the wishes of the slave chief? What he couldn't do, the court helped him do."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded repeatedly when he heard this. He looked at the other ministers in the palace and saw that they were also thoughtful. None of them spoke, so he said to himself: "Master Zhong, what do you think?"
Zhong Jinwei was waiting for this sentence and immediately replied: "Your Majesty, there is a saying that is good, rewards and punishments must be clear. Therefore, Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Denglai, must be punished. But the ultimate intention of the court is to keep the Ming army in Denglai from losing the battle.
Strength, continue to make Jianlu fear its combat power. Based on this purpose, I have the following suggestions."
Everyone looked at Zhong Jinwei and listened to what suggestions he was about to give.
"First, the dead soldiers should be compensated, and their souls should be set up in the Martyrs' Shrine to summon their souls and enjoy the incense of the people of the Ming Dynasty."
"Second, the Denglai soldiers who escaped alive should also be commended. This does not require the court to come forward. Newspapers can publish the deeds of some soldiers who bravely killed the enemy, so that everyone in the world will know, so that those who dare to fight and are good at fighting will be famous all over the world."
Zhong Jinwei said this mainly because the military merits of the Ming Dynasty were recorded according to the head level. However, the Denglai Ming army did not have heads at all. If the imperial court continued to reward them, other border troops would have objections and it would be unfair.
"Third, Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Denglai, must be punished. As for the punishment, it will be decided by the court. The key is to let him continue to serve as governor of Denglai and make meritorious deeds and beat down the prisoners."
After Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, Emperor Chongzhen nodded, thinking it was good, and asked his first assistant, Wen Tiren, "What do Wen Qing think?"
These measures by Zhong Jinwei did not cost the court much money in food, but they could gain the morale of Denglai's army, so why wouldn't Wen Tiren do it!
"Your Majesty, I think it's okay." Wen Tiren bowed and said.
Just now, Zuodu Yushi's reaction was relatively loud, so Emperor Chongzhen turned to him again and asked, "What do Cao Qing think?"
"I have no objection." Upon hearing this, Cao Yubian immediately expressed his opinion.
After receiving the answers from the two of them, Emperor Chongzhen just glanced at the Minister of War, but without asking him, he said directly: "In this case, just do what Master Zhong said."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he played again: "Your Majesty, the reason why there were such heavy losses in this war is that I believe it was caused by three traitors. If they are not punished seriously, it will not make the people angry, and it will not be enough to warn future generations."
Emperor Chongzhen had the same idea. He nodded and said: "Those who have forgotten their ancestors and ignored your kindness will never be spared."
Cao Yubian, the censor of Zuodu, now found an outlet. He said righteously: "Your Majesty, Sun Degong was the main culprit for the loss of Guangning to the imperial court. I didn't expect that he would dare to take advantage of it this time.
Cutting him to pieces with a thousand swords will not be enough to avenge his crime."
Liang Tingdong remained silent for fear that someone would think of him for supporting Lu Xiangsheng's robbery of grain, leading to the crime of defeat. At this time, seeing that the spearheads in the palace were pointing at the three traitors, he had an idea and immediately expressed his opinion: "Not only Sun Degong, but also that
Zu Dalue, even after I finish, I will clarify the canonical punishment to serve as a warning to others."
Wen Tiren hesitated for a moment, and then reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, we have just decided that all criminals should be exiled overseas to supplement the manpower needed to build large supply points. Should these three people be treated in the same way?"
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he turned to Zhong Jinwei, who was the first to propose punishment, and asked, "What do you think, Master Zhong?"
"I believe that traitors who make suggestions for the barbarians and harm the interests of our Ming Dynasty will all be sentenced to death and not be exiled. Otherwise, it will not be enough to warn those who come after us."
Zhong Jinwei answered Emperor Chongzhen's question without hesitation. He hated traitors the most. But since ancient times, traitors have been emerging in endlessly, which made him sigh.
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen thought for a while and said: "This traitor has caused great harm, so he will be handed over to the Three Laws Division for conviction."
What he meant by saying this was that he agreed with Cao Yubian's treatment. Because according to what these three traitors did, judging from the crime according to the law, it was also a punishment.
"As for the handling of Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Denglai, I will follow Master Zhong's instructions and the cabinet will prepare a report for me." Emperor Chongzhen ordered Wen Tirendao.
"I obey the decree." Wen Tiren agreed.
The matters related to the Denglai Ming Army in this war have almost been discussed, and Lu Xiangsheng did not receive similar treatment as other people before because of his defeat. It is true that there are people in the court who are easy to do things.
After some discussion, it was almost dusk. Emperor Chongzhen had already noticed Zhong Jinwei's dusty appearance and said to him: "If Master Zhong hadn't arrived in time this time, the consequences would have been disastrous. I know you have worked hard along the way, so
Go back and rest first.”
Zhong Jinwei originally wanted to hear about Cao Yubian's trip to Nanjing, but now that Emperor Chongzhen said this, he was indeed tired. Moreover, he had been out for many days and was thinking about home, so he did not refuse and immediately bid farewell to Emperor Chongzhen and went home.
.
What he didn't expect was that good things were waiting for him at home.