In the early morning, the morning bell rang, causing feathers to fly around the palace.
In front of the Fengtian Hall, hundreds of civil and military officials from the Ming Dynasty gathered in a dark crowd. With a high-pitched sound of going to court, people filed up the steps and entered the main hall.
Today is an early morning court meeting. All the officials of the sixth rank and above in Beijing have been notified to attend the court meeting. There are more than 300 people. Many officials who had never had the opportunity to go to court in the past are able to attend today. Even the princes and princes who rarely participate in court meetings
, they also went to court today.
Although there are many people, the atmosphere is extremely dull. Especially the civil servants who are usually the most noisy, today all have solemn expressions and shut their mouths. They followed behind Li Dongyang, the cabinet scholar, and saw various complicated looks from other officials around them.
He slowly went up to the palace.
Everyone knows that today's court meeting is not a simple court meeting. Since the emperor came to the throne, except for the time when he ascended the throne, he has never summoned so many officials to participate in an early morning meeting. All of this is of course related to recent events.
In the past two months, too many things have happened in the imperial court, and too many changes have occurred. It is time to make a conclusion.
The officials entered the main hall and stood quietly. This time, they didn't wait too long before they heard the shouts of 'Your Majesty comes to court' from the side hall. When all the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted long live,
Zhu Houzhao, surrounded by Liu Jin and others, walked out quickly and ascended the throne.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me and stay on your own terms!" Zhu Houzhao said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone stood up to express their gratitude.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes looked at Zhu Houzhao, and Zhu Houzhao also looked at them. Zhu Houzhao, who was a little nervous when facing the ministers not long ago, felt calm today. On the contrary, he saw a trace of fear in the eyes of the people in front of him. Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied.
This feeling gave him the feeling of being in control of everything for the first time.
"Dear sirs, many things have happened in the imperial court recently, causing some influence and turmoil. Therefore, I have summoned all the ministers to come here today to settle what happened before. I will not talk about this, and you will also
Understood." Zhu Houzhao said in a deep voice.
"I went out to patrol the border towns two months ago, which aroused dissatisfaction among many people. Especially the officials in the outer court, who criticized me verbally and in writing, beat their chests and feet, as if they thought that if I did this, the Ming Dynasty would be over and the sky would fall.
Yes. Some people have related this matter to the personal expedition of Emperor Yingzong.
, launched an attack on me and the people who accompanied me on my tour. Some people even wanted to use this to achieve certain goals and force me to obey their wishes. This caused turmoil in the court, people's hearts were unstable, and various rumors spread.
, which makes me very indignant and angry. You have all witnessed these things."
The ministers were silent and stood quietly in the hall, like a group of clay and wood sculptures.
Zhu Houzhao breathed a sigh of relief and softened his tone and said: "Of course, I admit that the border patrol was indeed a bit hasty and reckless. I have also reflected on this. It's not that I think the border patrol was wrong, but that I
You should be fully prepared and should not act hastily.
So much so that I was taken advantage of by the Tatars and almost got into trouble. After I returned to Beijing, I said that I was willing to admit my mistake to the courtiers for this matter. Today I fulfill my promise, apologize to my Ming subjects, admit my mistake, and express my apology for my reckless behavior.
, I hope you can accept my apology."
The ministers were slightly disturbed. They did not expect that the emperor was willing to admit his mistake. This seemed to indicate that the emperor realized his mistake, but could there be a turning point in today's court meeting?
However, some people understood that the emperor's apology at this time was actually a kind of magnanimity, an act of politeness before fighting. Before, there was so much commotion in the outer court, and there were memorials and visits to the late emperor's mausoleum to put pressure, but the emperor did not bow his head. At this moment, again
How could you bow your head?
"I can apologize, but don't some people need to apologize? I was indeed a bit reckless when patrolling the border, but my original intention was to boost the morale of the soldiers in the border towns and better guard our border towns in the Ming Dynasty. Is this wrong? The Tatars in the north
You guys have been the enemies of our Ming Dynasty since the founding of our country. They harassed our border towns thousands of times, killed countless people on our borders, and robbed our people of countless property. We are the biggest in the Ming Dynasty.
They are our biggest external worry. From Emperor Hongwu to Emperor Yongle, and even Emperor Yingzong and my father, for more than a hundred years, we, the Ming Dynasty, have been sworn in with them and fought countless battles. All in order to severely attack them and protect our country.
My border town is peaceful. The Tatars brought me endless trouble and even humiliation to the Ming Dynasty. After I came to the throne, I determined to change this situation and reverse this passive situation of being beaten. Is it wrong for me to patrol the border?"
"Some people say that I led the Tatars to Xuanfu and caused huge losses in the battle of Xuanfu. I am very angry about this statement. The Tatars hate the Ming Dynasty from the bottom of their hearts, and they are always thinking about reoccupying us.
The land of the Central Plains destroyed our Ming Dynasty. Isn’t this like a trip to the border town of Xuanfu?
Is this the case? If I don’t patrol the border, won’t they attack our border town? What about the Huamachi Pass in Ningxia Town being breached last year? What about the large and small wars in the past hundred years? It’s all my fault?
It is nonsense and extremely ridiculous. Mr. Baoguo, tell me, are the things that happened in Xuanfu really my fault?"
Zhu Hui, the Duke of Bao Guo, is the commander-in-chief of the Xuan Mansion. He has not yet returned to the Xuan Mansion after escorting him back to Beijing, so he naturally participated in the court meeting today.
"The Emperor is not to blame for this matter. The Tatars invaded our border town. That is something that happens all the time. How can we blame the Emperor? This time the battle of Xuanfu caused a lot of losses. It is all my fault.
I request the emperor
Punishment. I fell into the trap of the Tatars, failed to rescue them, and almost made a big mistake. I feel ashamed. However, the Tatars also suffered heavy losses this time. More than 5,000 Tatar cavalry were wiped out on the west road, and more than 5,000 Tatar cavalry were wiped out on the north road.
The emperor is wise and mighty, leading the way
Thousands of soldiers and horses wiped out more than 15,000 enemies, and the Tatars suffered more than 20,000 casualties. After this battle, the Tatars were severely damaged, and it is probably difficult for the Tatars to invade our border towns in a short time. Especially the battle on the Shangbei Road.
, teach the Tatars to know me, the Ming Emperor
The bravery of the soldiers, the loyalty of the soldiers and the people, and the determination to fight to the death to resist the enemy. As far as I know, the border troops are all inspired and their morale is extremely high. Although there are losses, there are more gains. These are all the benefits brought by the emperor's patrol of the border
.”
Zhu Hui is a smart man, and he certainly knows what to say at this moment. He had already made a big mistake in the battle of Xuanfu and failed to save the enemy. If he is investigated, he will be blamed. Of course he will be blamed at this time.
We must fully support him and forgive him for his mistakes. Moreover, his words are not entirely flattering. For example, after the Tatars were hit hard, they did shock and relieve the pressure brought by the Tatars in the border town to a certain extent.
"Listen, this is not what I said, it is what Duke Baoguo said. He is the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu. If you don't listen to my words, you can't call his words nonsense, right? What's damnable is that I
After returning to Beijing, I explained the matter, but some people just refused to admit it.
.The battle of Xuanfu was won, not a defeat. Some people want to exaggerate the losses and blame all the blame on me and the people who accompanied me on the tour, confusing right and wrong. And then criticizing me and the people around me.
.What’s the truth? What’s your intention?”
Zhu Houzhao shouted loudly, and the palace fell into dead silence again.
"Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, initiated the impeachment of Liu Jin and others around me, as well as the Marquis of Jianchang, Shouning Marquis and others. This is an act of confusing right and wrong. It has ulterior motives and ulterior motives. I once sent Marquis Jianchang to communicate with them.
By persuading, I wanted to calm people down and ease the situation. As a result, I was regarded as weak. Instead, they were justified. Li Dongyang, is what I said true?"
Zhu Houzhao asked Li Dongyang in a deep voice.
Li Dongyang came forward with an expressionless face, knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "The emperor is extremely benevolent and righteous. It is the fault of the ministers. The old minister is guilty."
Zhu Houzhao said in a deep voice: "What crime do you have?"
Li Dongyang said slowly: "I have gone too far. Without checking the right and wrong, I just made assumptions and conclusions, which are completely wrong. I am also too radical in my behavior, and I am suspected of forcing the emperor."
Liu Jin suddenly interjected: "You are dishonest, why are you going too far? It is obvious that we are right, but you want to accuse us. That is slander and criticism, and the party is against the different. What is the suspicion of forcing the emperor? You just have ulterior ambitions. What you do is
Those who are disobedient will be punished!"
Everyone looked at him in shock. Liu Jin really wanted to kill someone.
Zhu Houzhao did not speak, nor did he stop Liu Jin's accusation. He only looked at Li Dongyang coldly to see his reaction.
Li Dongyang's face did not change, and he said slowly: "Eunuch Liu, I don't dare to accept this accusation. The reason why Liu Shoufu and the officials in the outer court launched the impeachment was based on the stability of our country, Ming Dynasty, and the danger to the emperor in Xuanfu.
I have lingering fears in my heart and have no intention of preventing such things from happening here. The starting point is for the sake of the court and the Ming Dynasty. I act wisely.
It is biased, but there is nothing ulterior in purpose. Eunuch Liu’s accusation is too serious, but it must be supported by evidence. The veteran thought, the emperor is wise, and all colleagues have their own judgment, and the veteran has nothing to say.
.If the emperor also thinks so, I have nothing to say. If you want me to die, I have to die. I am willing to accept all punishments."
"You are a dead pig and you are not afraid of boiling water. It is useless to deny it in every possible way." Liu Jin shouted.
"Liu Jin, please pay attention to your words. Mr. Li is a cabinet minister with high moral standing. This is above the court, in full view of everyone. How can you say such vulgar words? Your Majesty, please stop Liu Jin's words and deeds. Above the court,
The ministers are in the queue, and when discussing important matters of government affairs, no irrelevant people are allowed to talk nonsense." One person came out of the queue and said loudly.
All the ministers were shocked. At this time, someone dared to say such a thing. He was really brave.
Everyone turned around and recognized this person. He was in his thirties and had a handsome appearance. Most of the people recognized him.
This person is Yang Tinghe, a bachelor of Zuo Chunfang, a former lecturer of the prince, and now a reviewer of the Hanlin Academy.