The spring sun shines brightly in the sky, and it is warm and warm at noon. In the Indian summer of March, although the spring is still cold in the morning and evening, by noon, it feels warm and pleasant.
However, no matter how warm the sun is, it cannot drive away the coldness in the hearts of Liu Jian and Li Dongyang. No matter how bright the sun is, it cannot illuminate the shadows in their hearts.
The court meeting had dispersed, with Liu Jin, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian, and a group of civil servants in the outer court, led by Xie Qian, walking down the high steps of Fengtian Hall with indifferent expressions. When they passed by the bloodstains left by Li Mengyang that had not yet dried up on the steps, no one said a word.
Liu Jian didn't even glance at Li Mengyang's body, which had been covered with white cloth and parked in the corner of the square. The group of people walked past quickly, walked out of the square, walked out of the palace gate, and walked into the depths of the dazzling sun.
In the cabinet room, Liu Jian sat upright with a cold face. Li Dongyang stood under the window thoughtfully. Xie Qian looked angry and restless.
"You two, don't you have anything to say? Today's events have led to this situation, don't you two adults think that we need to think carefully and make a good plan?"
Xie Qian couldn't help but said loudly. He reached out and picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip. The scalding hot water made him choke and spit the hot tea on the ground, causing him to cough awkwardly.
"Thank you, sir, please be patient. Isn't it hot?" Li Dongyang said calmly.
"You can keep your composure. The emperor didn't even punish Liu Jin, saying, 'Although Liu Jin made mistakes, his fault was ignorance and boldness. The previous punishment was too severe and did not reflect the court's forgiveness. In addition, he thought of Liu Jin and others
We have served with merit over the years and are given a chance to change our ways. Listen, this is us.
What the emperor said. In the end, he just ordered him to return the stolen money, apologize to several officials who were asked for bribes and made things difficult for him, and fined him three months of salary. He raised it high and put it down gently, but you didn't say a word? I want to prove it.
After struggling with reason, Mr. Li stopped me. What's the reason? Huh? What's the reason?" Xie Qian stared and said loudly.
Li Dongyang walked over slowly and stood with his back to the sunlight coming in from the window, his face hidden in the shadows.
"Master Xie, don't you see it? It's not appropriate to continue to dwell on today's matter. The emperor's words have been made very clear. What's the use of continuing to dwell on it?" Li Dongyang said solemnly.
"I don't understand. I would like to ask you, Bachelor Li, to analyze it for me." Xie Qian snorted coldly.
Li Dongyang sighed and said softly: "It seems that Mr. Xie really didn't pay attention. Zhang Yanling has made it clear today. His words are telling the emperor that what I did in the outer court today is an attempt to control the emperor's actions.
I have to say, this guy is really vicious
Damn, who would have thought that he would say these words desperately today? His words may seem like nonsense, but I think he said them deliberately after careful calculation. His intention... was to provoke the emperor.
The suspicion against us is extremely sinister."
Xie Qian frowned and said, "So what? Are we afraid of him?"
Li Dongyang looked at Xie Qian with reproachful eyes and said: "Master Xie, this is not a question of whether you are afraid or not. The emperor is young and would not have thought too much, but Zhang Yanling openly provoked the topic. What would the emperor think? The emperor is young.
, but the emperor is an extremely smart person."
Xie Qian frowned and said nothing. Li Dongyang continued: "Sir, Mr.
The finger is pointed at us. This means that the emperor did not fully follow Zhang Yanling’s instructions.
He aimed the finger at us as he hoped, thus making the whole thing uncontrollable. But the reason why he stared at Li Mengyang was that he had already had doubts in his heart. But he finally chose to calm down the matter, which was actually to retreat.
One step behind. If we continue to press forward step by step, the Emperor will definitely fight back with all his strength."
Xie Qian slowly sat down, and the anger in his heart slowly calmed down.
Liu Jian looked out the window and said slowly: "What Dongyang said is absolutely true. In the final analysis of today's matter... we were still not prepared enough and thought there would not be too many changes. But we underestimated the cunning and cleverness of Zhang Yanling and Liu Jin.
Bold and underestimated their insidiousness. Now it seems
, Zhang Yanling, Liu Jin and others came together. The two people's behavior in the court today was obviously after discussion. They retreated and advanced, and they cooperated tacitly. But we were too conceited and lost our ground. In the end, we were caught by them.
After getting the handle, Zhang Yanling successfully aroused the emperor's doubts."
Li Dongyang nodded and said: "Yes. Zhang Yanling is by no means an easy person. This person will be our strong enemy. We can no longer take him lightly. The current situation is already somewhat unfavorable for us. Today's battle has given me a great reputation in the outer court.
Loss is never a good thing."
Liu Jian said in a deep voice: "That's true. Although the emperor chose to take a step back and did not expand the matter and make it out of control. However, the emperor reduced Liu Jin's guilt and pardoned the Zhang family brothers' inappropriate behavior. He only issued an edict to reprimand
Judging from his performance, the emperor is actually
We have become estranged and have doubts. Dongyang, tell me, have we misjudged the Emperor? Judging from the Emperor's behavior today, is he still the playful and mischievous young man we thought he was? I always feel that the Emperor actually feels confident in his heart.
There is a city and it has its own opinions."
Li Dongyang pondered: "Master Liu, when you say this, I feel the same way. When the emperor was sitting there watching us quarreling today, I had a feeling that the emperor was sitting on a mountain watching a tiger fight. And Zhang Yanling's
When these words came out, I thought the emperor would immediately
He asked us harshly, asking us to explain whether there was any attempt to control and force him as Zhang Yanling accused. In the end, he did not do so. Instead, he avoided the important and took the easy way out, starting with Li Mengyang. It can be seen that the emperor had planned to use this
Things must be controlled within a certain level.”
"That's quite true. After hearing the news about Li Mengyang's mistake, the emperor seemed to be in disbelief, but he did not say it, but went along with the situation and ended the dispute. Perhaps, the emperor knew it well and knew about Li Mengyang's mistake.
The mistake was suspicious, but he did not pursue it further because this might be the result he hoped for." Liu Jiandao.
Li Dongyang said slowly: "Perhaps, the emperor also understands that this is the bottom line we can accept. Enough is enough, the gaffe will not expand, let's calm down today's incident and save face."
"It's terrible, it's terrible. If your Majesty is not guided by an expert, then we all misjudged him. We underestimated your Majesty." Liu Jian let out a long sigh.
Xie Qian suddenly laughed, looked at Li Dongyang and Liu Jian and said, "My lords, what's going on? The emperor is just a fifteen-year-old boy. You say he is like the reincarnation of a god. Is there any need to be like this?
?In my opinion, the reason why he chose to settle the matter was just because he was timid. Did he dare to disobey the late emperor's dying order? He dared to risk
Is it because of Zhang Yanling's nonsense? He didn't dare to be aggressive because of helplessness, instead of knowing how to advance and retreat as you said. That's just a stubborn person. It's not like you don't
I know what Wang Yue and the others said. They spend their days in the palace drinking and having fun. They are just the unworthy sons of the late emperor."
Liu Jian thought for a moment, nodded with a wry smile and said, "Maybe Lao Xie is right, maybe we have made things more complicated."
Li Dongyang also smiled and said: "I hope so."
Xie Qian said: "You two don't need to think too much about this. What I want to know most now is, what do you think next? Liu Jin and his gang must be extremely arrogant after this incident. I can see
I can't stand how proud these guys are.
When we were leaving the court just now, that guy smiled at us deliberately. Did you see it? It didn't make my lungs explode. And that Zhang Trillium, he smiled so proudly. I couldn't wait to go up and take a look at his hateful smile.
I was slapped twice on the face. I was so angry."
Liu Jian sneered and said: "The villain is just successful, so why should you be angry. Although what happened today is annoying, it does not affect the overall situation. On the contrary, I think it is a good thing."
"How do you say this?" Li Dongyang asked.
Liu Jian stroked his beard and said: "The emperor has been very lazy with us during this period. I guess he is very impatient with us. After today's incident, the emperor will probably become even more aggressive. We hope that the emperor can be like the previous emperor."
, able to do good and be a good emperor. But I am afraid I will be disappointed. As important ministers of the Ming Dynasty, entrusted by the late emperor, we have great responsibilities, so naturally we cannot allow this kind of situation
If the situation continues to develop. After what happened today, Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and others, and even the Zhang family brothers must think that they have won a complete victory, and they will become even more unscrupulous. This is very good, it just gives us a reason to take action. We only need to do
Be prepared. When the opportunity comes, give a thunderous blow and completely eliminate Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and others, including Zhang Yanling. I think that when the next attack is launched, there will be no room for compromise."
Xie Qian touched his palm and praised: "Okay. I appreciate Lao Liu's decisiveness and fierceness. If you say this, I feel relieved. Let them dance for a few days first. Let's not make any noise first and let them be proud. Get ready.
That's enough, let's have a storm and deal with all these young people. By then the sky will be clear and the earth will be clear, and the emperor will have to accept the reality."
Liu Jian laughed.
Li Dongyang didn't smile. He looked out the window with a thoughtful expression.
…
In the palace not far away, in the apse garden of the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Yong led several eunuchs to perform a lion dance in the open space with lion heads on their heads. Several shirtless guards danced with swords. The palace musicians played drums and played
Sizhu, the whole back hall was extremely lively, it was like a temple fair.
In the Spring Pavilion on both sides of the corridor, the painted palace maids wearing light clothes poked their heads out of the windows with their white necks and arms exposed, holding colorful handkerchiefs in their hands and waving them wildly, and they laughed sweetly and sweetly.
Soon after, Zhu Houzhao, who was wearing casual clothes, came with a smile accompanied by two eunuchs. Liu Jin, who was dressed as a turtle slave, smiled and introduced the names of the palace maids in each window to Zhengde. Zhengde laughed and laughed from time to time.
He stretched out his hands to touch and pinch the palace maid, making comments and comments, just like a playboy visiting a brothel.
Soon after, a 'prostitute' in a spring pavilion caught the eye of Zhu Houzhao, the guest. She was respectfully welcomed in. Immediately, a banquet was served, with melodious songs and laughter.
Emperor Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty happily enjoyed these special hobbies of his, and the entire back hall was full of spring and joy.