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20 Posthumous

This time, in order to collect money, Emperor Chongzhen issued an edict and held a major court meeting.

Not only the civil and military officials are coming, but also the royal family and nobles have been summoned.

Emperor Chongzhen was late, so they all whispered to each other. The content of the discussion was naturally related to the matter of collecting money.

It can be seen from their expressions that there is a high probability that they are not panic. After all, everyone will definitely unite for this kind of thing that infringes on everyone's interests. How can the emperor, a lonely man, fight with them?

No, when Emperor Chongzhen came to court and the formal etiquette was over, Zhou Yanru, the chief minister of the cabinet, turned to look at Wuchang, the official doctor, and gave a slight signal.

So, Wu Changshi coughed and came out of the queue, and then loudly played: "Wei Chen has his own intention to play!"

Emperor Chongzhen was slightly startled when he heard this. According to the rules, he had to wait at least until he told him to do something before doing anything. But Wu Changshi was so impatient that he had something to report. Could it be that there was another urgent military situation?

But he is from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so he shouldn’t be the one to report emergency military information?

A little confused, Emperor Chongzhen was a little worried and nodded with a cold face.

"Your Majesty, in the Battle of Songjin, the entire imperial army was annihilated, which had a huge impact on the morale of the army and the people!" Wu Changshi immediately reported, "I think that at this time, your Majesty should focus on restoring the morale of the army and the people.

First priority! I respectfully request your Majesty to set up nine altars to pay homage to Governor Hong, who has served the country so loyally, and to inspire other governors and governors who are leading troops abroad!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"..."

As soon as Wu Changshi finished speaking, as expected, other civil servants came out one after another to agree with his proposal.

Zhou Yanru did not stand out, but lowered his head, sneering in his heart.

They knew Emperor Chongzhen very well.

Once Emperor Chongzhen harms the interests of everyone, then everyone can join forces and lead Emperor Chongzhen by the nose.

Just like now, the original main topic of the court meeting must have been to raise money. However, with Wu Changshi's start and everyone's agreement, Emperor Chongzhen must make a statement on this, rather than discuss it again.

Even if Emperor Chongzhen wants to discuss it again, some people will come out and ask the emperor to give a specific explanation, otherwise it will chill the hearts of the soldiers fighting for the country. In short, just use the big reason to suppress it, and the emperor will not be allowed to discuss it again.

Once Emperor Chongzhen expresses his position, the specific regulations can be discussed for half a day. If time is wasted, then this money-raising meeting will be in vain, at least it will not be the focus.

However, what they never expected was that the variable Liu Weichao had already greatly affected Emperor Chongzhen.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard what they were saying, he suddenly slapped the imperial case with a "snap" sound, which immediately startled all the officials below.

"Hong Chengchou rebelled and joined the rebels. Do you want me to set up nine altars to worship him? Do you want to see my jokes?"

Upon hearing Emperor Chongzhen's angry shout, everyone was immediately dumbfounded.

They never expected that such a thing would happen.

For a moment, they were a little unable to react.

After a while, Zhou Yanru, the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, said: "Your Majesty, the cabinet does not seem to have received such news. Is there something wrong?"

Hong Chengchou was very trusted by Emperor Chongzhen, and he always paid attention to maintaining good relations with all officials. His betrayal was indeed something that no one could have imagined.

If it were in the past, Emperor Chongzhen might have explained it, saying that he got a hint from Taizu's treasure or something.

However, at this moment, he saw that all the ministers were displeased, so he snorted coldly: "What, are you questioning me?"

When Zhou Yanru heard this, he was frightened.

You know, in the past, Emperor Chongzhen valued Zhou Yanru very much. Don't say similar words, even a harsh word.

As soon as Zhou Yanru was frightened, other officials did not dare to speak out for a while.

Because everyone could see that the emperor was so rude to his chief minister, and if other people spoke out, it would be easy to get angry!

Once everything quieted down, Emperor Chongzhen signaled the eunuchs on duty to read out the imperial edict he had prepared before.

Immediately after this announcement, all the officials were very surprised.

Because of this imperial edict of Emperor Chongzhen, Lu Xiang, who died in battle a few years before his posthumous death, was promoted to "Zhongyong" and granted the title of "Zhongyong Bo"; Sun Chengzong, who died in battle earlier after his posthumous title, was promoted to "Zhonglie" and granted the title of "Zhonglie Bo";

Civilian knighthood, even if awarded posthumously, was a very high honor in the Ming Dynasty!

Emperor Chongzhen granted posthumous titles to Lu Xiangsheng and Sun Chengzong at one time, which was something no one expected.

After the imperial edict was read out, Emperor Chongzhen said in a cold voice: "Lu Qing and Sun Qing fought hard and died for their country. These are role models for you. I hope you will learn from Lu Qing and Sun Qing, not that traitor Hong Chengchou!"

Just now a group of people were shouting about setting up nine altars to commemorate Hong Chengchou. What he said was really a slap in the face! Moreover, this group of officials put their faces in front of the emperor themselves.

For a moment, almost everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look at Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at them, then turned to look at his father-in-law in the queue of nobles.

Zhou Kui had been wiping his sweat. When he saw his gaze, he hurriedly went out and said: "Now that the court is in urgent need of money, I am willing to raise 11,800 taels of silver!"

Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but be a little surprised when he heard this number.

Because it was agreed before that Zhou Kui would take the lead in donating 10,000 taels, but he actually added an additional 1,800 taels!

Looking at the sweat on his head, Emperor Chongzhen probably guessed that this old guy was trying to please himself!

At this time, when it was time to act, Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said: "Uncle Jiading is serious and can take care of my urgent needs and the urgent needs of the court. I also want to know how you are doing. Come on, record it.

Let’s start here, Duke Cheng!”

When Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Chengguo, heard this, he cursed Zhou Kui's ancestors for eighteen generations.

His title was passed down from the Yongle period, while Jiadingbo was granted the title in the third year of Chongzhen. If he donated less than Jiadingbo, it would be unjustifiable!

In pain, Zhu Chunchen had no choice but to repay twenty thousand and eighty-one taels, as if he really tried his best!

Everyone else had no choice but to use Jiading Bo's side as a benchmark, and began to report the numbers one by one while the emperor was watching.

Of course, there are also those who are stubborn and will just pledge a few taels, dozens of taels, or hundreds of taels regardless of the situation.

Among these people, most of them were civil servants. When reporting the numbers, they still spoke plausibly, saying that they had nothing to lose and their families had no money.

On the side of the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Wang Chengen pledged the most, 23,500 taels, which almost donated his entire family fortune, and even outshone Wang Dehua, the eunuch in charge of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

This made Wang Dehua very dissatisfied. While others were counting the numbers, he threatened Wang Chengen in a low voice.

However, what he never expected was that when everyone had finished reporting, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly announced the establishment of the West Factory, and appointed Wang Chengen as the admiral of the West Factory.


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