In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, in early August, the city of Nanjing was in the midst of a scorching heat. Cicadas kept chirping, and the shades of trees seemed to be filled with heat, making people feel irritable.
Side hall, cabinet office.
Unlike the cabinet in Beijing, which is narrow and shabby, the cabinet in Nanjing is located in a side hall and is more comfortable.
Of course, being closer to the emperor makes it easier to know the emperor's every move.
Ma Shiying's ears were filled with the buzzing of insects, and his originally happy mood immediately turned bad.
Even if the eunuchs had already gone to catch them to prevent them from delaying the elders, the time was too short and the effect was not obvious.
"Alas!" Ma Shiying picked up the tea cup and took a sip. It was initially bitter on the tongue, and then slightly sweet. It can be said that after all the bitterness, the sweetness comes.
In early June, the Donglin Party finally fell out with him.
A group of people brought out the "Qin Ding Counter Case", saying that Ruan Dacheng could not use it, and even Ma Shiying also impeached him.
Lu Daqi, the minister of the Ministry of War, impeached Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng, saying that they were "corrupt and evil, and anyone who agrees for a while is cunning and despicable."
Immediately, Dongping Bo Liu Zeqing entered the court, Shangshu attacked the Donglin Party, and corrected Lu Daqi and others for their objections on the issue of the emperor's succession, which was because they had different ambitions.
Lu Daqi had no choice but to become an official.
Afterwards, Ma Shiying drafted a "successful case" in response to the counter-case.
As the name suggests, they are officials who defected to the army and invaded the country. They later had to return to Nanjing and take up official positions again.
Such as Guang Shiheng, Gong Dingzi, Chen Mingxia, Xiang Yu, Zhou Biao, Zhou Zhong and others. Among them, Guang Shiheng and Chen Mingxia all came from Jiang Yueguang's sect.
This move was actually a drunkard's intention not to drink, but to target Jiang Yueguang.
Later, he ordered Zhu Tongyi, the clan leader of Jian'an Palace in Nanchang, to attack Jiang Yueguang. The clan impeached him, and Gao Hong planned to "punish him".
When Emperor Hongguang heard about it, he was furious and said something to his family. Why did he issue a decree to punish him?
In this way, Jiang Yueguang and Gao Hongtu both lost their hearts as kings, and the cabinet became Ma Shiying's one-note hall.
"First Assistant, all the cicadas have been captured."
At this time, the eunuch came over cautiously and said flatteringly: "Your Majesty, there is still some Hangzhou tribute tea, can I take it to you?"
"Huh?" Ma Shiying frowned and scolded: "I am just a minister, how can I exceed the tribute?"
"If there is a next time, I will never forgive you!"
The eunuch was so frightened that he begged for mercy and left.
Ma Shiying sneered and didn't take it seriously.
Relying on the emperor's trust, Ma Shiying was invincible, and almost no one could resist the righteousness of the emperor and his ministers.
Therefore, of course he understands that the Donglin Party members hope that he will lose the favor of the emperor.
"Unfortunately, I am not a fool!"
Ma Shiying shook his head, feeling quite proud.
After a while, he had a headache again.
The words of King Hanyang regaining Sichuan were widely circulated among the people. He was extremely politically sensitive and immediately realized the profound meaning.
The power of King Hanyang became a little stronger.
Huguang was beaten to pieces, but Sichuan was intact. The two were completely different.
However, what made him even more irritated was that for such meritorious service, he must be promoted to the title of king.
No matter what the name, he is still a prince, which will enhance his prestige and threaten the power of the Nanjing court.
After thinking about it, he felt that he must not be allowed to bear such a blame alone.
So, he privately approached Qian Qianyi, the leader of Donglin, to communicate in advance.
Qian Qianyi was also quite disgusted with the rise of King Hanyang.
Although the Manchu and Western thieves were despicable, the internal enemies deserved death even more.
"Even if we don't mention it, King Hanyang will definitely threaten us."
Qian Qianyi gritted his teeth and said: "Zuo Liangyu's son, Zuo Menggeng, was captured by him. If he doesn't obey, Zuo Liangyu may have to act as an accomplice."
"Zuo Liangyu is guarding Jiujiang and must not be threatened by him again."
Hearing this, Ma Shiying snorted coldly.
Isn't this just like yourself, threatening Nanjing with troops?
He feels comfortable using it, but when others use it, he feels particularly uncomfortable.
Ma Shiying thought deeply: "You can use the king's title as a threat, and he must be released to Zuo Mengeng."
"The prince had to intervene, but the king had some discussions."
Qian Qianyi nodded and said: "If nothing else happens, the ambitious King of Hanyang, such as King Ning, will ask for either the King of Chu or the King of Shu and other famous nobles."
"This is absolutely impossible!" Ma Shiying immediately objected.
In this way, wouldn't it allow him to legitimately transform the province into a country?
"Okay, choose a lucky name, such as King of Fortune, King of Rui, etc."
Ma Shiying added.
Since Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, few princes have been given royal titles in ancient times. They are basically given royal titles with nice-sounding and meaningful words.
Such as King Xiu, King Ji, King Jing, King Rong, etc., which are more famous, such as King Xing before Emperor Jiajing, and King Xin before Emperor Chongzhen.
Later, this naming rule was inherited by the Manchu and Qing Dynasties.
It is easier to reduce the impact by not taking the name of the ancient king.
After the two reached a consensus, they dispersed.
Of course, in the minds of the Donglin Party members, Qian Qianyi had always been against Ma Shiying and fought to regain power.
A few days later, public opinion intensified, but the Nanjing court pretended to be deaf and dumb.
However, clinker, the silent Nanjing court actually received letters from King Rui, King Qin, and King Yongshou, asking for merit.
This time, I can't pretend anymore.
Emperor Hongguang had no choice but to hold an imperial meeting.
For Uncle Wang, Hongguang originally thought that he could be used as a foreign aid, with Ma Shiying controlling the center internally.
With such a balance inside and outside, even if he eats, drinks and has fun, he will not lose his power.
But after thinking about it, he really didn't expect that Uncle Wang was so ferocious that he even tortured Zhang Xianzhong of Huguang and Jiangxi, who was no match for him.
In this way, the outside is emphasized and the inside is neglected, and the favorable impression turns into disgust.
"Two princes and a county prince have written a letter to ask for merit for King Hanyang, which has caused great trouble. What do you think?"
Emperor Hongguang rarely became serious, his fat face was full of seriousness. Obviously, he had realized the threat of King Hanyang.
The ministers were quite surprised, but they were obsessed with interests, and even if Hongguang was a wise king, he must be a faint king.
Dozens of people from the Nine Ministers, the Six Ministries, and the Cabinet stood in the hall, all in silence.
Ma Shiying sneered, then bowed respectfully to Emperor Hongguang and said:
"The arrow is on the string and must be fired. How can you not share your worries when you are devoting your salary to your Majesty?"
“It’s better to go home and farm while doing nothing!”
Ma Shiying likes those who are morally oppressive the most.
Emperor Hongguang was also quite satisfied with Ma Shiying's respectful attitude.
"You can't be promoted to the Jin Dynasty. The ambitious King of Hanyang will definitely be the second King Ning..."
"Not sealing the throne is not enough for the common people, but it will force the King of Hanyang to rebel. We must take a long-term approach."
All in all, there are more objections than approval.
However, those who agree are basically people with a long-term vision.
They understand that being opposed in the future and being opposed in the present are two different things.
"What do Qian Budang think?"
Ma Shiying turned to Qian Qianyi: "This is the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites. What do you think?"
At this time, everyone's attention was focused on the leader of Donglin.
Emperor Hongguang also looked forward to a neutralizing method.
Seeing this, Qian Qianyi could only take a deep breath and step out of the queue, his old body looking heavy:
"In my opinion, it has now reached a point where it has to be sealed."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was in an uproar.
However, this is the truth after all, and no one can refute it.
"The Jin Dynasty can make him a prince, but it cannot make him a prince easily."
Qian Qianyi said slowly: "He can be released to Zuo Liangyu's son, so that Zuo Zhen can get rid of his shackles and become a barrier for the imperial court."
Everyone nodded.
The Donglin Party was happy, so they could use Zuo Liangyu again.
Ma Shiying then said softly: "As for the king's title, I think it should not be an ancient king's title, but should be an auspicious title, such as An, Xiu, etc."