As soon as Jiao Fang said this, many people immediately agreed.
"What Mr. Jiao said is absolutely true. Liu Jin and others were certainly instigated during this patrol, but Zhang Yanling, Marquis of Jianchang, was also one of the leaders. He privately led the Nanzhen Fusi Jinyi Guards to escort him, and it was he who deceived the North City Gate into opening.
"
"Indeed, there is reason to believe that Zhang Yanling was involved in the planning beforehand. Moreover, this person has been acting erratically and doing random things based on his status as a relative of the emperor. He was protected by the late emperor before. Now, it is a great opportunity to liquidate the Zhang brothers."
"Last time Li Mengyang impeached Liu Jin for accepting bribes, it was Zhang Yanling who stood in the way, causing his success to fail. Otherwise, Liu Jin would have been punished long ago. Li Mengyang died unjustly, and he died at the hands of Zhang Yanling."
"Not only Zhang Yanling, but Shouning Hou Zhang Heling must also be impeached and punished. Have you forgotten that Shouning Hou did something to molest the palace people in the palace? This time, we will simply liquidate them together. Keep it.
They are a scourge after all.”
"..."
Li Dongyang frowned and listened to these people's chatter, and finally said in a deep voice: "Everyone, be quiet for a moment. Listen to what I have to say."
Everyone fell silent. Li Dongyang said in a deep voice: "Everyone, I, Liu Shoufu, and Grand Master Xie have carefully considered this matter and feel that it is not appropriate to mix the affairs of the Zhang brothers and Liu Jin and others."
"Why is that? I don't understand. They are obviously mixed together." Jiao Fang said solemnly.
Li Dongyang frowned and said: "They are indeed colluding together, but... it is still not suitable to mix them together, because they are too involved and will not be helpful. After all, Zhang Yanling is a relative of the emperor and the son-in-law of Xu Guangzuo, Duke of Dingguo. His identity is the same as that of Liu Jin.
Others are different. If
Impeaching him too is likely to trigger a strong reaction from nobles, which will be counterproductive. Instead of tying Zhang Yanling, Liu Jin and others together, it is better to divide and rule. Deal with Liu Jin and others first, and as for the Zhang brothers, wait for the opportunity.
Mature, it’s time for self-reckoning.”
Everyone suddenly understood. It turned out that the three cabinet ministers had already had a tacit understanding and had no intention of settling accounts with Zhang Yanling this time. Indeed, the Zhang brothers had a special status. Not only were they relatives of the emperor, they were also the sons-in-law of Dingguo Duke Xu Guangzuo. Zhang Yanling
Maybe there is nothing to fear, but Duke Dingguo is not someone to be trifled with. The outer court is not so big as to ignore the power of the Xungui Group and provoke them. That is really too arrogant.
Everyone considered the matter carefully and felt that they really needed to act cautiously. If they were to pull down the noble princes, their power would still be considerable. Originally, they might have stood by and watched, but if they took action against Zhang Yanling, they probably would not stand still.
.
"Haha, just now Liu Shoufu said he's not afraid of being shattered into pieces. Does this mean he's afraid?"
In the silence, a high-pitched voice said these words. Everyone looked at the sound in astonishment, trying to see who had said such words on this occasion. This was not to dismantle Liu Jian.
, slap Liu Jian in the face?
When they saw clearly who the speaker was, everyone was dumbfounded, and Liu Jian's face turned purple.
The person who made this sarcastic remark was named Liu Yu. He had just replaced Dai Shan, who had died of illness, as the censor of Zuodu. The reason why everyone was surprised was because Liu Yu was the person promoted by Liu Jian. At first, Liu Yu was just an ordinary person.
When Shandong was appointed as the Imperial Envoy, it was Liu Jian's recommendation that allowed him to enter the Yushitai and serve as the left deputy capital imperial envoy.
From then on, Liu Yu always treated Liu Jian as his student and acted respectfully, and was regarded as Liu Jian's personal friend. Some people even suspected that Liu Yu was Liu Jian's relative, because not only were they both from Henan, but they both believed in Liu Jian.
If they hadn't been so different in appearance and demeanor, they might have been mistaken for father and son.
Dai Shan died of illness not long ago, and Liu Yu took up the post of Zuodu Yushi without any suspense. This incident was also considered to be Liu Jian's permission. It is not uncommon for anyone to contradict Liu Jian, but today it is Liu Yu
He said this sarcastic thing in a weird way, which made everyone feel incredible.
"Master Liu, how can you speak like this? I have already made it very clear. It is not fear, but it is necessary to act in an orderly manner, have a strategy, and consider everything..." Li Dongyang said hurriedly.
Liu Yu avoided Liu Jian's gaze and said loudly: "Master Li, I understand the truth, but isn't this a kind of cowardice? Since we are doing this for the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world, what's the point?
What are you worried about? I think the Zhang family
Brother should be impeached, but why are you so timid? I remember that when the late emperor was still alive, Academician Li impeached Marquis Shouning for molesting the palace people and secretly wearing the crown. How could it be so?
Why are you hesitating now? I can't figure it out."
Li Dongyang frowned and said: "Mr. Liu, this moment and the other moment are not the same..."
Liu Yu shook his head and said: "Come on, I don't believe this. I don't want to deliberately contradict the three bachelors and doubt their decisions. I am just a little disappointed. I just think that I have nothing.
Say, the three bachelors can do whatever they want, anyway, what you said is right."
Li Dongyang frowned and was about to speak when he heard Liu Jian shout in a deep voice: "Okay, if that's the case, then the Zhang brothers will be impeached as well."
Li Dongyang said in astonishment: "Master Chief Assistant, how can you act on your own initiative? We have discussed this matter..."
Liu Jian said in a deep voice: "The things discussed can be changed to avoid being said to be inconsistent with words and deeds, and to be timid and cowardly. What have I, Liu Jian, been afraid of? Even if we add the Zhang brothers, we can still achieve our goals. Dongyang, just
It’s decided.”
Li Dongyang frowned and said, "This...can we reconsider it?"
Liu Jian looked at Xie Qian and said, "Old Xie, do you agree?"
Xie Qian said coldly: "When we discussed before, I wanted to impeach Zhang Yanling. Naturally, I agree with the decision of the chief minister. That Zhang Yanling should have been severely punished long ago."
Liu Jian nodded and said: "Okay. Dongyang, there are three of us now, two of us agree, one of you objects, two versus one, what should we say?"
Li Dongyang frowned and said nothing.
Liu Jian smiled and said: "You acquiesced to the bento. Everyone, let's add the Zhang brothers, impeachment of the Eight Tigers, and two dogs. Hahaha. Liu Yu, are you satisfied?"
"Your Majesty, Chief Assistant, is brave and upright, and I admire you greatly." Liu Yu said in a deep voice.
Liu Jian waved his hand and said: "There is no need for your admiration. I can't bear your Lord Liu's admiration."
A sneer appeared at the corner of Liu Yu's mouth, he cupped his hands without saying a word, and slowly stepped back and disappeared into the shadows. On the other side, Jiao Fang, the Minister of Household Affairs, and Liu Yu looked at each other and showed strange smiles.
Liu Jian stood up and said in a deep voice: "My lords, this is the end of our discussion on today's matters. Please go back and get ready."
Everyone stood up and said goodbye, and Liu Jian returned the courtesy one by one and sent each other off with a smile. When the officials walked out of the waterside pavilion, a strong wind suddenly rose, and a bolt of lightning pierced the sky, like a knife between heaven and earth. Then thunder exploded.
There was a roar and heavy rain poured down.
All the officials were so shocked that their faces turned pale and they exclaimed in surprise.
…
In the pouring rain, on the long street, several fast horses were galloping through the stagnant water in the rain. Soon after, they arrived in front of the Dingguo Palace. The knights immediately dismounted and went to the gate tower. One of them took the lead.
He took off his wet bamboo hat and reached out to knock on the door.
A doorman heard a heavy knock on the door and got up and opened the door with a curse. A curse word was choked in his throat before he could even say it.
"Aunt...uncle? Why is it you?"
"Open the door, I have something important to see my father-in-law." Zhang Yanling wiped the rain from his face and said solemnly.
The doorman quickly opened the small door, and Zhang Yanling and a few people accompanying him entered the door and went straight to the front hall. The doorman quickly informed the front hall steward, who came to the front hall in disheveled clothes.
"Why are you here at this time?" asked the manager.
"Please let the manager know that I am here." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
The steward didn't dare to ask any more questions, so he nodded in response and quickly went to the back hall to report. Soon after, footsteps thumped, and Xu Yande came in from the hall with a dark face.
Zhang Yanling stood up and saluted. Xu Yande frowned and said: "Hey, who do I think it is? It turns out to be Mr. Zhang. What? Why can't you see people? What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Why can't you come in broad daylight?"
Zhang Yanling cupped his hands and said: "I originally planned to come with Yi Yi tomorrow morning, but I felt that I couldn't delay, so I came to visit my father-in-law and brother in the evening because I have some things to discuss with you."
Xu Yande sneered and said: "Do you still know that you have a father-in-law and a brother? You are a white-eyed wolf. You have contributed to others, but you don't think of us. If it weren't for my own sake, I would kick you out."
Zhang Yanling sighed and said: "Brother, don't be like this. I will explain that matter later. Now I have to discuss important matters with my father-in-law and brother."
Xu Yande glared at Zhang Yanling and said angrily: "Let's go to the study."
Zhang Yanling cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, brother."
The two of them walked through the corridor in the rain one after another and came to the second atrium. On the east side of the house is Xu Guangzuo's study. The steward had already ordered someone to turn on the lamp. Xu Yande and Zhang Yanling entered the room, and the steward ordered someone to make tea.
Xu Yande did not invite Zhang Yanling to sit down. He sat down on the chair and flipped through a book on the table. Zhang Yanling moved a chair and sat aside, listening to the sound of rain outside, frowning and thinking.
Soon after, there was a coughing sound from the corridor outside the study, and a servant told him to be careful. Under the light of the lantern, a rickety figure appeared in the corridor of the study.
"It's so late...Why is Yanling here? What happened?" Xu Guangzuo's voice sounded in the corridor.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly stood up and looked at the door. He saw Xu Guangzuo being helped down to the door by the steward who was holding a lantern. His bun was messy and a few buttons of his clothes were open. He had obviously fallen asleep and been woken up.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "My son-in-law has met my father-in-law and came to disturb him in the middle of the night. It is really rude. I hope my father-in-law will forgive me."