"Actually, in my humble opinion," Yang Rong said in a low voice, "Zhou Xin has nothing to do with Jianwen's old party. Don't forget, that man was hiding in Pujiang, but how could he be the one he found?"
"Then what was his intention in letting the Zheng family go?" Jin Youzi asked.
"The emperor's decree is to banish the Zheng family..." Yang Rong sighed and said: "But Tang Yun presumed the holy will and intended to eradicate the weeds. Zhou Xin stopped him, which makes sense." Zhou Xin dared to take the risk and let the Zheng family go.
Leaving, he actually admired her very much, but how could he say this clearly?
"I'm afraid this truth won't make sense to the Emperor." Jin Youzi said: "The Jianwen Party's case is against the Emperor. In fact, everyone knows what the holy will is. If we use strong words to reason, it will only increase the Emperor's resentment.
"
"That's right." Yang Shiqi nodded and said: "Tomorrow is the imperial trial, and the emperor is the presiding judge. He just wants us to prepare our words to prevent Zhou Xin from making excuses. If we violate the holy will and just speak for Zhou Xin
, I’m afraid I’ll lose my wife and my troops.”
"Brother, what you mean is..." Jin Youzi and Yang Rong both looked at Yang Shiqi. Although Yang Shiqi was hiding very deeply, they both knew that this man was a princeling because they were also members of the same group.
"It is still necessary to prescribe the right medicine. Avoiding the important and taking the easy is not the answer." Yang Shiqi said slowly: "What the emperor hates is Zhou Xin's disloyalty, nothing else. If the emperor can be convinced that Zhou Xin also has good intentions and is not disloyal, I believe the situation will be fine.
a lot of."
"Of course it's good to be like this, but it's extremely difficult to change what the emperor has decided." Jin Youzi said: "I'm afraid no one can change his impression of Zhou Xin's disloyalty."
"To untie the bell, you must tie the bell. Zhou Xin has very little connection with the previous dynasty and has always been loyal. How could he get involved with Jianwen's remaining party?" Yang Shiqi said slowly: "In my opinion, the emperor must listen.
What did he say? Let’s see how Zhou Xin defends himself when the time comes. He is a very smart person and will definitely know the pros and cons.” After a pause, he glanced at the two colleagues and said: “As for us, we should adapt to the situation when the time comes. If Zhou Xin can give up
If the emperor is disloyal to him, we can speak for him. If we can't dispel the idea, there is nothing we can do. If we force ourselves to come forward, we will only make the emperor angry."
"That's the truth." Yang Rong agreed: "The emperor hates Zhou Xin for being unfaithful. If we want to kill him, we can't stop him first. We must show that we are of the same mind as the emperor. Only in this way will the emperor listen. Look at Zhou Xin's words.
, he definitely doesn’t want to bear the charge of treason... Some of the things he said himself are much stronger than what we say."
"That's what I mean." Yang Shiqi nodded.
"If it works, let's do it like this." Seeing that Er Yang had reached an agreement, Jin Youzi naturally had no objection.
After saying this, I heard the drums of Youshi beating, and it was time to get off work. Jin Youzi was on duty in the cabinet tonight, so Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi packed up their official documents and left Donghua Gate.
On the way to Fengtian Gate, seeing no one in front or behind, Yang Rong asked Yang Shiqi in a low voice: "What do you think the emperor is thinking?" He was in the cabinet just now, and the walls have ears, so it was inevitable that what he said was insincere. When he came out, there was no one behind him, so he wanted to listen to what the other party said.
Real thoughts.
"Did you also see it?" Yang Shiqi looked straight and said calmly: "Actually, the emperor is conflicted about whether to kill Zhou Xin or not."
"Yes, if the emperor feels that someone is guilty and has evidence in hand, he will definitely kill him with one knife. Why bother to go to trial?" Yang Rong said softly: "But Zhou Xin is the one who is most appreciated by the emperor in the past ten years.
An official. It can be said that he is a model official set by the emperor in the Yongle Dynasty. After this errand in Zhejiang, he will go to Beijing to take over as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice." Yang Rong said softly: "But he was suddenly accused of becoming Jianwen
Going against the party, how can the emperor lose his face?"
"Yes, the cold-faced Han Tiegong's reputation has been directly matched by Bao Zheng of the Song Dynasty. Everyone in the world considers him to be an upright and perfect man." Yang Shiqi nodded and said: "If such a person also harbors nostalgia for the emperor and is disloyal to the emperor,
The emperor is so embarrassed."
"So, do you also feel that the emperor's imperial trial tomorrow seems to be trying to convict Zhou Xin, but in fact, he still has the expectation that he will be exonerated?" Yang Rong's eyes lit up and he said: "Is that right?"
"Yes." Yang Shiqi nodded and said, "But if we all plead for him, Zhou Xin will definitely die. So we can only watch Zhou Xin's
"Yes, we can only act according to circumstances. The one who plays the leading role tomorrow can only be Zhou Xin." Yang Rong nodded, and the two of them approached Fengtian Gate and stopped talking.
The next day, the Royal Palace, Wenhua Hall.
Zhou Xin was arrested the day before and was going to trial the next day, which shows how much Zhu Di cares about the case.
In the palace, Emperor Yongle was sitting high on the dragon chair, looking at Zhou Xin who was kneeling under his highness with a gloomy expression. The prince sat to the east of the emperor's head. Opposite him was a prince whose appearance and temperament were very similar to Zhu Di's, who was his compatriot.
His younger brother is the King of Han, Zhu Gaoxu. Next to the King of Han, there is a handsome man in princely attire. He is the prince and the younger brother of the King of Han, the King of Zhao, Zhu Gaosui.
Below the three dragon sons, there are several princes, six ministers and nine ministers, Jin Yiwei Commander Ji Gang, three cabinet ministers and other important ministers, arranged on both sides according to civil and military orders.
The only person kneeling in the main hall was Zhou Xin. Because the emperor wanted to stand trial, the imperial guards did not dare to torment him. At this moment, he was wearing a cloth robe, kneeling at the foot of the steps with his back straight, and there was no trace of panic on his face.
"Look at this beast." His posture made Zhu Di feel disgusted for a while. He pointed at Zhou Xin and said to the ministers: "He was grabbed by the hand and neck, and he still put on a righteous posture. Don't you know?"
Do you regret it?" After saying the last sentence, the emperor turned to Zhou Xin and stared at him coldly, "I didn't expect that you are such a stubborn person."
Zhou Xin then leaned forward and kowtowed.
"You have been interrogating prisoners for half your life with a cold face, and today I will let you taste what it's like to be on trial." Zhu Di said bitterly: "Raise your head."
Zhou Xin had no choice but to raise his head again.
"I ask you, what is your relationship with Jianwen Yudang?" Zhu Di asked in a deep voice.
"Reporting to the emperor, there is absolutely no connection whatsoever." Zhou Xin said loudly.
"I think you won't cry until you see the coffin." Zhu Di said coldly: "Let me ask you, who transferred Tang Yun's Zhejiang Navy?"
Zhou Xingxun said, his heart skipped a beat, it was indeed what happened, but he still said calmly: "It was Wei Chen who had someone forge a warrant to transfer the Zhejiang Navy away from the Pearl River Estuary."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the Wenhua Hall was shocked. No one expected that Zhou Xin would be able to do such a stupid thing, let alone that he would be so honest.
Zhu Di let out a cold snort and said, "You still deny that you have anything to do with Jianwen Yudang?"
"It really doesn't matter if you go back to your Majesty." Zhou Xindao: "Your Majesty, please tell me what happened at that time."
"Humph, let's see how you argue." Zhu Di snorted coldly, acquiescing.
"At that time, the ministers suspected that the Zheng family was harboring the Jianwen Yu Party, but because the Zheng family was the first family in the south of the Yangtze River granted by Emperor Taizu, they did not dare to rashly accuse them of treason. Therefore, people from Zhejiang's Zhensi, Dusi, and Jinyiwei were
Zheng Zhai Town was surrounded by people in the name of protection." Zhou Xindao: "The ministers and others reported to the capital and waited for the imperial edict, while putting pressure on the Zheng family, hoping that they would take the initiative to hand over the rebels..."
"These are all minor details, the main point of your collusion with the Zheng family." Zhu Di interrupted Zhou Xin.
"In the end, the Zheng family refused to admit it, leaving us with no progress. At this time, the decree came. The emperor thought that the Zheng family was the first family in Jiangnan that Taizu personally sealed, and was unwilling to kill anyone. He ordered me to carefully examine those who did not rebel against the party.
If this happens, he will be exiled overseas and will never be allowed to return to the Ming Dynasty." Zhou Xin continued: "The ministers immediately followed the instructions, and after strict review, ordered the Zheng family to board the ship and leave the Ming Dynasty. At this time, I accidentally heard that Tang Yun actually diverted water.
The division arrived at the entrance of Qiantang and prepared to sink all the boats on which the Zheng family was traveling." As he spoke, he raised his head, looked at the emperor calmly and said: "The Zheng family has nearly 10,000 men and women, half of whom are women and children. It would be dangerous to kill them.
He. Moreover, the emperor's kindness has spared their lives. If I sit back and watch the Zhejiang Navy destroy them, I will be violating the holy will and make the world think that the emperor has not kept his word."
"However, the three divisions were separated and not subordinate to each other, and I could not stop Tang Yun from going his own way. In desperation, I had no choice but to weigh the lesser of two evils and ordered someone to forge a transfer order to transfer the Zhejiang Navy away from Qiantangkou and release the Zheng family.
There is a way out for the whole family, and it is all the kindness of the emperor." After Zhou Xin finished speaking, he kowtowed to Zhu Di and said: "I will inevitably be punished with death for forging the transfer order, but I have no second thoughts towards the emperor, and I have nothing to do with rebelling against the party. This statement is conclusive and can be
If there is even half a meaning in the expressions of the sun and the moon, I will fall into the realm of animals after death and never be reincarnated."
Zhou Xin's curse moved the ministers, and also moved Zhu Di. The emperor's gloomy face seemed to have lost a lot of clouds, but his voice was still cold and stern:
"As expected, you are a eloquent person. Unfortunately, no matter what you say, nothing will change it. Aren't you proficient in the law? Tell me, what should I do with those who falsely convey military orders?"
"Go back to the emperor and cut me in half." Zhou Xin said with a calm expression: "I have known for a long time that I will definitely die, but I just don't want the world to think that I am attached to my old master." After saying that, he kowtowed heavily and said: "I, Zhou Xin, am just an ordinary person, and I have been briefed by the emperor.
Only by applying re-employment can you show what you have learned and live up to your life. My gratitude to the emperor is like a surging river, which can be seen by the sun and moon. There is only one emperor in my heart, and that is Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. There is no such thing as Emperor Jianwen. This feeling
It must be known to everyone in the world.”
After listening to Zhou Xin's words, Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi quickly looked at each other, and both saw the appreciation in each other's eyes. What they said was so good, the biggest obstacle in the emperor's heart should be solved.
The prince sitting there felt slightly relieved, but he still felt that he was not optimistic, because the emperor had more than one obstacle in his heart. After removing the biggest one, there was also the second biggest one...
Ji Gang's expression turned ugly. He and the King of Han exchanged glances and both felt that things would not go as smoothly as they imagined. But Zhu Di didn't let them speak. Who dared to interrupt? They could only listen silently, prepare their words, and wait.
Take the opportunity to speak.
Everyone's eyes returned to the emperor. Zhu Di's eyes were slightly focused, and his right hand on the dragon chair moved unconsciously. It was obvious that the emperor was deep in thought.