In the early morning, more than a hundred ministers gathered outside the Meridian Gate of the Ming Dynasty Palace. In fact, many ministers did not leave last night. After leaving the palace, they sat quietly at the Meridian Gate and waited for dawn.
Of course, after last night, many people also disappeared while taking a break from the palace and never appeared again.
Because they originally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to gain some speculative benefits. Once they found out that the situation was not good, they were unwilling to continue the trouble. The officials who are still here today are determined to continue to follow Liu Jian and others.
Officials who achieve their goals. A bunch of stupid young people who don't appreciate the limelight.
In the cabinet room, under the dim candlelight, Liu Jianzhen was writing quickly with a brush in hand. Beside him, Li Dongyang sat in the shadows and frowned at Liu Jian, with a very worried look on his face.
Finally, Li Dongyang put down his brush, and after quickly browsing the memorial, he gently dried the ink, slowly closed the memorial, and raised his head. His eyes met Li Dongyang's, and he saw the worry in Li Dongyang's eyes.
Liu Jian smiled instead.
"Master Liu, have you really decided to do this?" Li Dongyang said slowly.
Liu Jian smiled and said: "Of course, the memorial has been written. I have decided."
Li Dongyang frowned and said: "It's useless for you to do this. Mr. Liu, listen to me and don't act out of emotion. If you leave, it will not help except the huge loss in the outer court. Liu Jin and the others are hoping for this result. You do this
, is irresponsible."
Liu Jian said in a deep voice: "Dongyang, I know. The situation is over, and the emperor may not be able to look back. However, you know what I do. I, Liu Jian, have never done anything in my life. To put it bluntly, there is still a glimmer of hope, but it is not at all.
There is no hope, and I cannot retreat. I want them to know that I will never compromise when acting as a civil servant in the outer court. Even if I fail, I must let them understand this. This is the backbone of our outer court."
Li Dongyang sighed: "Of course I understand you and what you are thinking. However, don't you want to think about the future? Once you leave, the outer court will be leaderless. Wouldn't it be even more painful for relatives and enemies?"
Liu Jian walked slowly over, sat in front of Li Dongyang, and said in a deep voice: "Dongyang, you are still in the outer court. You are more suitable to lead the ministers than me. You are more thoughtful and have more leeway in doing things. Unlike me,
Too tough-tempered to let things go sometimes
There is no turning back from the opposite direction. Perhaps when the late emperor was in power, I was suitable to be the chief assistant because the late emperor was kind and kind. But now, Dongyang, you are more suitable to be the head of the outer court than me. Moreover, I believe that you will be able to save the situation.
You have this ability."
Li Dongyang shook his head slowly and said: "Mr. Liu, you have promoted me. Do you know how difficult the situation behind this is? How do you want me to support it?"
Liu Jian smiled and said: "Dongyang, you can do it, don't give up. You understand that I have no choice but to do this. This matter must have an end, and I can't back down. Besides, even if I stay, do you think they
Will you still believe me? Will you still respect me? Will my words still be effective? If I compromise, all I will leave is a laughing stock. This is not a good thing for me or for the civil servants in the outer court. So, I can only do this.
"
Li Dongyang was speechless. He knew that there was no need to persuade him any further. Liu Jian's character and the current situation determined this outcome. In fact, they all understood that everything was a foregone conclusion.
A figure flashed at the door, and Xie Qian's tall figure walked in quickly, laughing loudly: "Old Liu, are you done? It's time for us to set off."
Liu Jian looked at Xie Qian and smiled bitterly: "Old Xie, why do you have to do this? Didn't I tell you before? There is no need to spare another person."
Xie Qian smiled and said: "I've had enough. I'm going home to pick up my grandson. I don't want to stay here and be angry anymore. It doesn't matter whether you scold me or say I'm not responsible, I admit it. This time I have made up my mind.
, I can’t bear to be so cowardly. I can’t bear the thought of seeing those people’s arrogance in the future. Don’t try to persuade me, I’ve decided.”
Liu Jian sighed: "That's all, I won't advise you. Now that you've decided, let's go."
Xie Qian said: "Let's go, what are you waiting for? I don't want to wait any longer."
Liu Jian stood up and bowed deeply to Li Dongyang. Li Dongyang quickly stood up and returned the bow.
"Dongyang, I'll leave everything to you in the future. Our outer court cannot fall, and the government of our Ming Dynasty must not fall into the hands of traitors. Everything can only be done by getting rid of you. Liu Jian is incompetent and ashamed."
Li Dongyang said in a deep voice: "Master Liu, there is no need to say such things, you did your best."
Xie Qian cupped his hands and said, "Master Li, Xie Qian has a bad temper. He has offended many people in the past. I hope you can forgive me."
Li Dongyang returned the courtesy and said: "Thank you, sir. There is no need to say these words. There is nothing to forgive or not. We are on the same journey. You two adults, you have decided this today. Dongyang will not say anything. Unfortunately, there is no wine, so he will have tea instead."
Let’s bid farewell to the two adults with wine.”
Liu Jian smiled and said: "Okay, let's replace the wine with tea and have a drink."
The three of them used teacups instead of wine and drank together. Liu Jian and Xie Qian turned around and left the public house and walked away quickly without looking back.
…
In front of the Meridian Gate, the officials knelt and sat on the ground facing the tall palace gate.
Liu Jian and Xie Qian came hand in hand, and the silent ministers straightened up one after another. They looked at the faces of Liu Jian and Xie Qian, and found that their expressions were indifferent and seemed to be smiling, and they suddenly felt something in their hearts.
Some confidence.
Since the two cabinet bachelors looked so relaxed, could it be that things had taken a turn for the better.
"Thank you for your hard work, gentlemen." Liu Jian saluted everyone.
"Master Chief Assistant!" Everyone returned the greeting.
Liu Jian nodded and knelt down in front of him facing the Meridian Gate. Xie Qian knelt down next to him.
"Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, led more than a hundred officials from the outer court to urge the emperor to give a reply. The emperor did not reply for a day, so I have been kneeling here." Liu Jian shouted, his old voice high-pitched and calm.
.
"I respectfully request your Majesty to purge the inner court of traitors, and please give your reply." The ministers shouted loudly.
The Meridian Gate was closed tightly, and the soldiers and horses guarding the city on the top of the city poked their heads and looked at the people below, pointing. A few birds were not afraid of people, and landed on the bluestone at the door, looking around and chirping.
There was no response to the ministers' cries.
But they did not give up. Under the leadership of Liu Jian and Xie Qian, everyone shouted at the top of their lungs until their voices became hoarse and their faces burst into tears.
Dozens of riders came galloping from the royal road in the direction of Daming Gate. Liu Jian, Xie Qian and others turned around and recognized who they were. The leading young man riding on a group of tall horses was none other than Zhang Yanling, the Marquis of Jianchang.
.Behind him were a group of guards in golden uniforms.
Zhang Yanling came on horseback and led the captains to rein in the horses beside the kneeling ministers. He ignored the angry looks from the ministers and looked at Liu Jian and Xie Qian with a smile.
"You two great bachelors, are you practicing your voice here? The Meridian Gate is 1,600 steps away from the Qianqing Palace. Even if you shout at the top of your lungs, the emperor cannot hear you." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Xie Qian said angrily: "What does it have to do with you?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Master Xie, why is it none of my business? I am among the people you are impeaching, so naturally it is none of my business."
Xie Qian said coldly: "Despicable villain, don't be complacent."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "I am a despicable villain, and you are gentlemen, so that's alright. I really don't understand how I, Zhang Yanling, have offended you. You are also very funny, impeaching others but making yourself so embarrassed, I'm afraid It’s unprecedented and unprecedented. If I were you, I’d pack up and go home.”
Xie Qian was about to curse angrily when Liu Jian said in a deep voice: "Master Zhang, you have gained power for a while, why do you have to be so arrogant? We don't have any personal grudges with you. We are doing it for our Ming Dynasty and the people of the country. Maybe we can't succeed in impeachment, but as long as we do it, we will be worthy of the court and worthy of our hearts. Of course, you may not understand when I tell you this."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "Come on, I know you think you are noble. It is as if you are the only one in the Ming Dynasty who cares about the country and the people, while others are poaching and doing bad things. In fact, what are your intentions in your own hearts? Don't think that no one understands. You are selling dog meat with a sheep's head. Who do you deserve? However, I don't want to quarrel with you. I don't have the time. The emperor summoned me to the palace to talk and is still waiting for me. I just kindly remind you. , it’s useless for you to shout here.”
Liu Jian said in a deep voice: "Thank you Mr. Zhang for your kindness. You don't have to worry about it. We are determined. We will never leave until we impeach you, the treacherous scoundrels."
Zhang Yanling made a tsk-tsk sound in his mouth, shook his head and said: "You just don't want to do it yourself, and you have to spare others. Look, what are these officials like? In the hot weather, they are sour and smelly, how can they look like scholars? Mr. Liu and Mr. Thank you, it's just that you want to impeach others, why bother dragging them in? They finally studied hard for ten years, passed the imperial examination and became officials, and finally gained status, shine on the family lintel, and are respected by everyone. You are hurting them."
"We are voluntary, what do you know?"
"How can a dandy like you understand our aspirations?"
A group of officials shouted and cursed.
Liu Jian sneered: "Zhang Yanling, did you hear that? People are different. We are different from you. There are some things that you will never understand in your lifetime."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's all, I won't talk nonsense to you. They are all stupid and stupid. They were sold and paid for the people. Mr. Liu, I want to send you a message out of kindness and ask the emperor to give it to you. In other words, it will save you from making a lot of noise and causing a lot of noise."
Zhang Yanling jumped off the horse, flicked his cloak, entered the palace gate and walked away.