Zhu Houzhao frowned. He did not expect Zhang Yanling to stand up and speak, and did not agree with his handling of raising things high and putting them down gently.
It was fine for others to speak, but this was Zhang Yanling. He had to respond.
"Duke Protector, I have made this matter very clear. The new land policy was formulated to increase the imperial court's fiscal revenue. The intention was good. It was just that the people below took advantage of it. Liu Jin is indeed responsible, but
The main responsibility does not lie with him. Last year, the new policies increased a lot of fiscal and tax collections, and the Ministry of Accounts has accounts for this."
Zhu Houzhao's tone was soft, as if he was begging Zhang Yanling not to hold on to him anymore. To be honest, Zhu Houzhao was really in awe of this uncle. He didn't know what he was going to do, and he couldn't figure out his way.
"Increasing fiscal and taxation is a good thing. But can the increased fiscal and taxation be worth the loss of lives and property caused by the chaos in Hebei? Isn't this the same as drinking poison to quench thirst?" Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Houzhao said: "Yes, I am also sad. No one wants such a thing to happen. Indeed...it is indeed a great loss. This...uncle, in your opinion, what should we do?"
Zhu Houzhao's anxious uncle even shouted out. How could there be any uncle in the court? Zhu Houzhao meant to hint Zhang Yanling to stop making trouble and not to embarrass himself.
Zhang Yanling pondered for a moment, then bowed and said: "Your Majesty, if we don't give an explanation for this matter, it is unjustifiable. Your Majesty said that the local officials recited the scriptures incorrectly, and I did not object. Their guilt will never be redeemed even by death. These officials
Most of them have died in the hands of thieves and there is no way to pursue them. But Eunuch Liu is the person in charge, so he cannot
For such a fool, at least there must be a real punishment. The minister suggested that he should be removed from the post of chief ceremonial supervisor and eunuch, and be demoted to a handyman. He should be given a forty-year staff to serve as a warning to others and to calm the hearts of his subjects.
The relevant Ministry of Household officials did not supervise the situation well, and the inner court dispatched personnel to punish them. This is the attitude to correct mistakes and convince the people of the world."
"What?" Zhu Houzhao looked at Zhang Yanling in shock.
To take away the position of Chief of Ceremonies, you still need forty imperial staffs? Wouldn’t that cost Liu Jin his life? This is too cruel. If nothing else, just forty imperial staffs would be enough to kill Liu Jin.
Already.
Liu Jin glared at Zhang Yanling angrily, his eyes full of malice. Zhang Yanling was trying to take the opportunity to kill himself. Liu Jin figured it out. If he really couldn't survive, he must tell the story about Zhang Yanling. He slept in Prince Qing's Mansion County.
He told the story of the Lord, and how he raided King Anhua's house and took a large amount of property in Prince Anhua's house for himself, thus lining his own pockets.
Anyway, if he can't survive, the previous deal with Zhang Yanling will be cancelled. Anyway, he doesn't care about the charges of multiple private deployment of troops and private orders to cross the river to attack. He has a lot of black information in Zhang Yanling's hands, and Zhang Yanling also has a lot of black materials in his own hands.
in hand.
"Uncle, I cannot allow this. Liu Jin has been with me for many years and has been loyal and diligent. I cannot deal with him like this. After Liu Jin became the Chief of Ceremonies, the inner court was stable and there were no mistakes. He is competent. This time in Hebei
Although he has committed chaos, he will not be punished so severely. I have nodded my head to this matter, do you think that I should also be punished? "
Although Zhu Houzhao's tone is gentle, he is very firm. He has his own persistence, especially when he feels forced, he will burst out with a strong rebellious psychology. Even Zhang Yanling can't do it.
"But Your Majesty, if I don't explain this matter to the world, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the subjects to calm down their anger. Liu Jin has done something wrong and should be punished."
It was rare for Xu Guangzuo to speak up at a critical moment. He had to speak for his son-in-law. Perhaps before, Xu Guangzuo was still self-centered and had his own little plans. But now, he has figured it out. Zhang Yanling is the one who guarantees him
The Duke of Dingguo's government is firmly in the first-class position and will not decline.
Xu Yande cannot succeed, and Zhang Yanling will need to support him from now on. If Zhang Yanling is frustrated today, it will bring disastrous consequences. Although he was opposed to Zhang Yanling standing up to cause trouble, he still stood up.
As soon as Xu Yande took the lead, Zhang Lun, Xu Yande, Zhu Lin and a group of princes also stood up and spoke.
Zhu Houzhao's face became more and more ugly. He never expected that the usually loyal nobles would collectively attack him today. This made him feel familiar with the situation when Liu Jian, Xie Qian, Li Dongyang and others entered the palace and forced him to kill Liu Jin and other Eight Tigers.
feeling.
Zhu Houzhao's spirit was tense and his back was straightened, ready to make a resolute counterattack. No one could force him to make a decision unless he wanted to.
"Dong Guo, all young princes and princes, please step back. This matter is a matter of great importance to the imperial court, and it is beyond my power to decide. It is none of your business. I am the person involved, and I have been ordered to lead the army to quell the rebellion.
At that time, my brother who had been with me day and night in the Zhenwei camp died in this chaos, so I came out to speak in the name of the general who defeated the thieves and asked for justice for the fallen soldiers. Please don't get involved."
Before Zhu Houzhao got angry, Zhang Yanling spoke first. Zhang Yanling had no intention of forcing Zhu Houzhao. If Xu Guangzuo, Zhang Lun and others came to help, it would be a disservice. Zhang Yanling hurriedly stopped him.
Xu Guangzuo and others rolled their eyes and thought: Damn, the flattery is on the horse's feet.
"Your Majesty, you are not forcing the Emperor to make a decision. I am just asking for justice and stability for the country. All of these people will stand up when the court is in danger, without fear of life or death. They are all loyal ministers, Your Majesty.
Don’t get me wrong. I am just worried about the situation. Now Hebei is suffering
At this time, we must calm people's hearts as soon as possible to avoid chaos again. If the court does not show up, how can the people's hearts be stable? Everyone in the world is watching. The court cannot keep rewards and punishments unclear. Of course, if the emperor insists on refusing to punish Liu Jin, I will have nothing to say.
. Just treat me as if I didn’t say anything. I retreated.”
Zhang Yanling bowed and saluted, retreated and returned to the line.
Zhu Houzhao frowned, having a fierce ideological struggle in his mind. Do you really want to offend everyone for Liu Jin? Yang Tinghe also mentioned the matter of holding Liu Jin accountable that day. Now that nobles, especially his uncle, whom he relies on, have also come out to speak, can he?
Ignore them?
Zhang Yanling came to the rescue several times and was often called upon in times of crisis. He was his most reliable helper. If he was not given face this time, he might not be willing to come forward if there were any troubles in the future. Looking at the entire court, it seems that only Zhang Yanling can do this at present.
Really solve some difficult problems for myself. I don’t want to let Zhang Yanling down.
"Don't be a loner, but be good at listening to the opinions of your subordinates. They are the cornerstone of governing and stabilizing the country."
The words that his father had repeatedly said to him came to mind. Zhu Houzhao thought it was nothing at the time, but as his experience and age increased, he also understood these truths.
Many things have happened since he came to the throne. He doesn't have to care about it, but everyone in the world is watching. Why can King Anhua rebel, and why do rebels and followers gather in such numbers? This is all due to the accumulation of dissatisfaction with himself.
Zhu Houzhao frowned and meditated on the throne. There was no sound in the hall, and all the officials looked at Zhu Houzhao. How will this matter end today?
"Let's do this." Zhu Houzhao said.
Everyone looked at him, listened carefully, and refused to miss a word.
"The position of Chief Eunuch and Chief of Ceremonies cannot be eliminated. In this position, Liu Jin has no fault. However, Liu Jin should indeed bear some responsibility for the Hebei Rebellion. Death penalty can be avoided, but living crime is difficult to forgive. With the twenty-twenty imperial staff, the penalty
Two years' salary will be announced to the world. Uncle, what do you think?" Zhu Houzhao said.
Zhang Yanling breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that it was unrealistic to kill Liu Jin based on this matter today. He just wanted to know how much Zhu Houzhao trusted him and how important he was to him.
Obviously, if I am so important, I am willing to go as far as I can to challenge Liu Jin. This also proves my previous speculation that I have been unwilling to attack Liu Jin through these things, because it is impossible to pass these conventional impeachments.
Take down Liu Jin.
There are only two things that can kill Liu Jin. One is that Liu Jin commits suicide and plots to rebel, and the other is the revenge of killing his father.