Zhu Youtang held the roll of roster in his hand and said in a deep voice: "This is the way to do things, this is the way to do things. Marquis Jianchang did a good job, if everyone works as seriously as he does
, if we act sincerely, will hundreds of people be killed or injured in this snowstorm? Don’t some people feel ashamed?”
Everyone in the outer court was silent. Ji Zhong was sweating profusely and at a loss. The emperor's words seemed to be talking about himself, and he had an ominous premonition in his heart.
Zhu Youtang took a few steps forward and said loudly to the people on the snow: "Fellow fellow villagers, I can't help you. It snowed heavily, causing a snow disaster, causing you to leave your hometown and come here. You are freezing and hungry.
I feel very uncomfortable in my heart. You are my people, and I did not take good care of you. I feel very ashamed in my heart."
The victims stood in silence, speechless. They didn't know what to say. They were very satisfied with the emperor's attitude. Although not long ago they were still cursing the court in their hearts for not caring about their lives. But at this moment, they no longer had that feeling.
General thoughts.
Zhu Youtang approached slowly and came to the victims. He looked at the old men standing in front of them and said in a deep voice: "Old men, you have suffered a lot."
Several old men were frightened and hurriedly knelt on the snow and kowtowed. Seeing the emperor at such a close distance and being greeted face to face by the emperor made them frightened and uneasy.
"Get up, old men. It's my fault that you have suffered." Zhu Youtang murmured.
An old man said in a trembling voice: "This is not the Emperor's fault. This is a natural disaster. It is none of the Emperor's business."
"Yes, the emperor loves the people. With these words, I am satisfied. Besides, we are well taken care of now. The common people should thank the emperor for saving our lives." Another old man said.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Okay, okay, it's rare for you to understand the righteousness so well. In fact, I am just like you these days. I am worried about the disaster, can't sleep at night, and can't eat. How are you eating now? Are you sleeping warmly?
?”
An old man said: "Reporting to the emperor, we eat well and sleep well. We can't always compare with home, but now we have a place to shelter from the wind and cold, and we can eat porridge and rice, which is already very satisfying. Then Mr. Zhang
He took good care of us. Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang is a really good man. Some people in your court closed the city gates and didn’t care whether we lived or died. Mr. Zhang and his family came out to cook porridge and set up tents for us. Please come.
The doctor is here to see us. If it weren't for Mr. Zhang, I would have died of cold and starvation."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "I know that, fellow villagers, please live in peace and wait until the snow melts before going home. During this period, I guarantee that you will no longer suffer from cold or hunger."
All the people knelt down and shouted long live. Zhu Youtang waved his hands and turned around, came to Zhang Yanling again, and looked at Zhang Yanling with great approval for the first time.
"Marquis Jianchang, you have done a good job. I am very pleased that you can step forward at this time, share the worries of the court and contribute to the relief work. You have made a contribution." Zhu Youtang said in a deep voice.
Zhang Yanling said solemnly: "I have received great favor from the emperor and benefited a lot. This natural disaster is so rapid and violent, how can I sit back and watch? I should serve the imperial court by sharing its worries. This is the duty of a minister."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Very good, live up to the emperor's grace and fulfill the duty of a minister. It is easy to say, but there are very few people who practice it. I am very pleased that you can practice this. I heard that you are doing this for relief.
He spent all his wealth and used all the food at home for relief. This kind of heart for the country can be regarded as a model."
Zhang Yanling bowed and said: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I just did my little bit." In fact, this relief work is not something I can do alone. I just put in some effort. Most of the material and manpower came from the three major princes.
The government gave full support and assistance. Although the two princes and three young princes in the government were busy with military affairs, they still sent family members to provide a large amount of supplies. There were also people from all walks of life who cooperated to help. For example
Master Xu Gao, a member of the Ministry of Industry, has been following the ministers to help the people outside the city since the day before yesterday, and has not gone back all night long. For example, my brother Shouning Hou has been working hard to buy relief materials at high prices all over the city. Because of the joint efforts of everyone,
It is only because of me that I can help the affected people settle down and survive this natural disaster. If I have done a small job in providing relief, it should belong to all those who helped."
Zhu Youtang said oh, turned to look at Zhang Mao and Xu Guangzuo, and asked with a smile: "It turns out that the two princes worked hard. I really didn't know."
Zhang Mao said in a deep voice: "I am ashamed, I am ashamed. It is the Marquis Jianchang who took the most credit for the relief work. I just helped."
Xu Guangzuo said: "There is a snowstorm, and the family of our honorable relatives is deeply favored by the emperor. We can't stand back at this moment. Therefore, we have the money to contribute and the strength to contribute to share the worries of the court and the emperor. This is what we and the honorable relatives do."
Responsibility is not worth mentioning."
Zhu Youtang nodded, faced the civil and military officials and said loudly: "Did you see it? Some people say all day long that I have rewarded your family too much, and even said that I have harbored connivance. Now you have all seen it, right? At the critical moment, Xun Xun
There is no ambiguity in the Qi family. They even take the initiative to share my worries without me saying anything. During the war, they can fight for me and the people of the Ming Dynasty. When disaster strikes, they will always be at the forefront. Such a family of honorable relatives.
, how can I not be biased and not reward you? My reward is still a little less, and I will need more reward in the future."
Zhu Youtang's voice echoed on the snow. Naturally, all the honorary relatives were secretly happy, but the faces of the officials in the outer court were gloomy. They understood that in the matter of relief, the honorable relatives had taken the lead and had the upper hand. All of them
Everyone's eyes are looking at the Minister of Revenue, Zhong Zhong, and they are extremely dissatisfied with him. Now everyone thinks that Zhong Zhong, a pig teammate, ruined everything. There could have been a great situation, but this incompetent person messed up everything.
"Those who have contributed to this relief effort will be rewarded by me when the relief effort is over. What about those who failed to provide relief? Should they also bear responsibility? Those in their positions who do not do what they do and those who neglect their duties should be punished."
Zhu Youtang continued.
"It's coming! It's coming!" Everyone thought in their hearts, and what was supposed to come did come.
"Where is Zhong Zhong, the Minister of Household Affairs?" Zhu Youtang shouted.
Ji Zhong's body trembled, his legs and feet went limp and he lay down on the cold snow, saying in a trembling voice: "Old minister, I'm here."
Zhu Youtang glanced at him and asked: "Relief matters are your responsibility. I ask you, have you fulfilled your responsibilities?"
Zhong Zhong said in a trembling voice: "Chen...chen..."
Zhu Youtang interrupted him and said: "On the first day of the snow disaster, for the whole day, the victims in the city were not properly resettled, and they even had no food to eat. That night, dozens of people froze to death in the resettlement place of Baizhifang. Who is responsible?
"
Zhong Zhong wiped his sweat and said: "Chen...chen..."
"Even though something happened suddenly, whose idea was it to close the city gates and let the people freeze and starve outside the city?" Zhu Youtang shouted.
Liu Jian hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, that is the decision of the veteran. We are worried that the victims will enter the city and cause unrest."
Li Dongyang also bowed forward and said: "That was not decided by Liu Shoufu alone, but was decided jointly by the cabinet and the six ministries after discussion. It was indeed out of consideration for the security of the capital."
Upon seeing this, all the officials also spoke in agreement.
Zhu Youtang said loudly: "The decisions of the cabinet and the six ministries are naturally based on your consideration, but don't you know how to send people to carry out relief outside the city? I know that some people not only do not open the city gates, but also do not put out food and materials to allow the people to settle down.
He saved himself, and even blocked people who wanted to go out of the city to provide relief. He even tried to attack the people outside the city. Could it be that the news I know is false?"
Liu Jian and others remained silent. By saying this, the emperor made it clear that he wanted to punish the outer court. Especially Zhong Zhong, I am afraid it will be difficult to save him this time. However, even if he knew that Zhong Zhong was ineffective in providing relief and had improper response measures
, Under today's situation, if Zhong Zhong is allowed to be dealt with, the outer court will lose great power. Although the outer court is not monolithic internally, it is a whole externally. The rise and fall of the civil servant group are tied together.
Therefore, although they knew that Zhong Zhong was at fault, Liu Jian and others still wanted to save him. The meaning of protecting Zhong Zhong was not to save him as a person, but to save the face of the civil service group and show the position of the civil service group.
Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and Xie Qian looked at each other and understood, and the three of them knelt on the ground at the same time.