Chapter 1049. Performances of the parties (ii).
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After Zhao Junchen and the ministers entered the imperial study, they habitually secretly raised their eyes, wanting to observe Emperor Deqing's expression.
Then, Zhao Junchen was shocked to find that Emperor Deqing's eyes were also staring at him tightly, expressionless, cold and sharp, and there was a hint of inquiry and thoughtfulness.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen was suddenly shocked, and hurriedly lowered his eyes and didn't dare to look at it again.
Out of intuition, Zhao Junchen believed that Emperor Deqing's strange attitude during this period of time might have something to do with him.
Emperor Deqing's sharp gaze stayed on Zhao Junchen for a long time, until after the ministers saluted and greeted him, he finally shifted his gaze and said slowly: "All Aiqing don't need to be polite!" I summoned you today to discuss it with you...... The crown prince, this time, he impeached the vassal kings for messing with the government and breaking the law! ”
Speaking of this, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but snort lightly, picked up a book from the imperial case, handed it to Zhang De, the great eunuch next to him, and motioned for Zhang De to transfer the book to the ministers for circulation.
After all the pavilion elders and the six Shangshu read this piece one after another, they all had solemn expressions.
After the note was passed to Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen opened it and took a look, but found that it was the impeachment note that the crown prince Zhu Heyu had submitted to Emperor Deqing not long ago.
Just like those self-defense recitals of the vassal kings, this recital was also directly presented to Emperor Deqing, and did not go through the channel of the General Administration Department, and the ministers did not read it in advance, only knowing that the crown prince Zhu and Yu impeached more than ten vassal kings at the same time in this recital, and also listed a large number of detailed incriminating evidence, but everyone did not read the specific content, and most of the news they received was transmitted to the capital from Luoyang.
Now, after reading the specific content of this note, all the important ministers finally understand the seriousness of this matter.
Everyone knows that Prince Zhu and Yu made a lot of noise this time, but they still underestimated his determination and actions.
In short, the prince's approach this time is really too much!
In this note, Zhu Heyu not only impeached the vassal kings for secretly colluding with court officials, tampering with the court account books without permission, forcibly annexing the people's fields and mansions, and other "misdemeanors", but even impeached the vassal kings for bullying the monarch with the intention of interfering in court affairs, secretly colluding with foreign forces in the Ming Dynasty to smuggle for profit, and exceeding the rules and disrespect!
But the crimes that followed should not be brought to the table!
These crimes are too serious, which will inevitably cause turmoil in the government and the opposition, damage the prestige of the imperial family, and even affect the evaluation of Emperor Deqing's historical books.
First of all, the scope of implication of the people involved is too wide, Emperor Deqing originally only wanted to target some of the vassal kings, but the scope of impeachment of the crown prince Zhu and Yu directly covered nearly half of the clans, and also involved a large number of court officials! In this way, if Emperor Deqing and the central court want to properly handle this matter, the resistance they face will also increase significantly!
Secondly, the Ming Dynasty has always regarded the vassal kings as one of the "national capitals", and if the crimes of the vassal kings are too serious, the officials and people of the government and the opposition will question - why do they support such a group of silverfish to oppress themselves? If the Ming royal family is full of such silverfish, what qualifications do they have to let the world provide for them?
Finally, under the rule of Emperor Deqing, the vassal kings were so unscrupulous and did whatever they wanted, does that mean that Emperor Deqing also had the responsibility of not being strict, lacking prestige, and conniving and ignoring? How will Shi Shugong Pen evaluate this matter?
After Emperor Deqing discovered the crimes of the "Eight Kings Boat Travel", although Long Yan was furious and furious, he still forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, and did not investigate the guilt of the vassal kings involved in the case, and endured it for a long time, until the matter of the vassal kings colluding with the household officials to tamper with the court atlas was exposed, and finally waited for the opportunity to take action and investigate the crimes of the vassal kings, because of this!
In short, Emperor Deqing and the center of the imperial court really wanted to severely punish some of the vassal kings and take the opportunity to reduce the burden brought to the imperial court by the clan, but the crimes of the vassal kings on the surface must not be too serious, otherwise the gains will outweigh the losses, and the losses will outweigh the losses!
These things, before the crown prince Zhu Heyu left Beijing to investigate the case, whether it was Emperor Deqing or Zhao Junchen, they had already clearly mentioned him one after another, but they didn't expect Zhu Heyu to still choose to openly reveal everything!
It's no wonder that Emperor Deqing suddenly suspended the court meeting during this time, and he didn't want to see people, so he was caught off guard and didn't know how to deal with it.
After reading this recital, Zhao Junchen's expression was as serious and solemn as everyone present, but more of it was doubtful in his heart.
It stands to reason that Prince Zhu and Yu have matured a lot during this time, at least they can distinguish the priority of a matter, even if they are instigated and used, they should never make such an obvious mistake! Didn't he know that such an approach would only make Emperor Deqing deeply embarrassed and disgusted with him? If he didn't know this, why did he hit the south wall headfirst?
Zhao Junchen found that he was completely unable to understand Zhu Heyu's thoughts, and this was the first time this situation had occurred.
Vaguely, Zhao Junchen thought that the crown prince Zhu and Yu were only afraid that they were hiding that they had other plans.
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Just when Zhao Junchen was secretly thinking, all the ministers in the imperial study had already finished reading the impeachment note of the crown prince Zhu Heyu one after another.
Then, the impeachment of the crown prince was also sent back to the hands of Emperor Deqing.
For a while, everyone was silent and did not dare to speak casually.
Emperor Deqing didn't expect them to take a positive stand, but after everyone had finished reading this recital, he took the lead in saying slowly: "For so many years, I ...... has been patiently waiting for the prince's growth! Originally, I thought that the prince's character was a little reckless, but his root nature was excellent, and after a few beatings and setbacks, he would always grow, gradually understand the human heart and the world, and also understand the priorities of things...... But this time, the prince made me deeply disappointed, I only felt that he had not grown at all over the years, and he was still inflexible, ignorant of the world, so stubborn and stupid! It's like a boulder! ”
As he spoke, anyone could hear that Emperor Deqing had been forcibly holding back the anger in his heart.
But speaking of this, the anger in Emperor Deqing's tone became more and more intense, and finally he couldn't bear it anymore, and suddenly raised his hand and threw the impeachment note of the crown prince Zhu Heyu to the ground, and roared angrily: "Look at the note he wrote!" It was said that the vassal kings colluded with the courtiers, colluded with bandits, interfered in court affairs, and exceeded the rules and disrespect...... Even if these charges are true, can they be clearly stated? Isn't there any other crime to convict the vassal kings? He brought these crimes to the table, did he want to impeach those vassal kings? Or do you want to embarrass me? If this note gets out, how am I going to clean up the mess for him? How do the historical writers and the government and the opposition and the people look at me? Don't you think about these things in his head? ”
As Emperor Deqing roared angrily, the ministers became more and more silent with their heads bowed.
But Emperor Deqing's venting was still not over, and he picked up a thick stack of sparse music from the imperial case, threw it directly in front of the ministers, and said again: "There are still these...... It's all the self-defense that the vassal kings sent to me today! Ha! What a coincidence, the vassal kings usually guard all over the world, the south and the north, but almost at the same time sent the song to me, and the content was almost identical, refusing to admit the charge of impeaching them, but thinking that the prince deliberately suppressed the clan, and wanted me to severely punish the prince to appease the clan's heart...... Is this because I am afraid that I will not be able to see that they have secretly united and want to work together to put pressure on me?
Although the prince's impeachment is unclear, it is true that some conclusive evidence has been found, not only did they not bow down and plead for leniency at this time, but they wanted to join forces to put pressure on me and force me to back down! This is simply rebellion! Who gave them courage and confidence? Do they really think that I dare not take the law seriously? ”
All the ministers are familiar with the character of Emperor Deqing, and they understand very well that Emperor Deqing needs to vent his anger at this time, and before the anger in Emperor Deqing's heart is vented, if anyone comes forward to express his position, it may attract the anger of Emperor Deqing.
Therefore, the ministers just quietly listened to Emperor Deqing's angry reprimand, trying their best to show their awe, and no one took the initiative to speak.
However, after Emperor Deqing saw the performance of the ministers, he became more and more angry, and stretched out his hand to point to the elders and scholars in front of him, and began to move his anger: "The prince's lack of growth and stupidity have made me deeply disappointed!" The greed and unscrupulousness of the vassal kings also made me deeply angry! But you ...... Are you innocent? Don't put on a face that has nothing to do with you in front of me!
With your connections and power in the temple, don't you always know about these crimes of the vassal kings? You all know! Know it from the start! But how could you ever have thought of standing up to stop me and share my worries! You just remember your little benefits in your heart, for fear that you will bring trouble to yourself, so you let those vassal kings do whatever they want! There are even people who directly collude with the vassal kings to make their own profits!
Don't think I don't know these things! Now, the prince has exposed everything, the bucket has been overturned, and you want to shrink behind the scenes to watch the excitement again? I tell you, it's impossible! If you can't clean up this mess for me, I won't care about the old feelings, and if I let me clean up this mess myself, I will clean it up with you! ”
Hearing Emperor Deqing's words, the ministers were shocked again.
They suddenly discovered that Emperor Deqing's anger at this time was ...... Seems like just half-truths?
At least, Emperor Deqing did not get carried away by the anger in his heart, nor did he abandon the imperial heart technique he was good at, his words seemed to be meaningless anger, but in fact, he transferred his pressure to the important ministers!
It stands to reason that this lawsuit between the prince and the vassal kings is of course serious in nature, but in the final analysis, it is only a family matter of the Zhu family, and it is extremely sensitive, even if it involves the succession of the prince, it also involves the ancestral law of the clan, and it is inconvenient for all the ministers in the imperial study to participate too much, at most they are just following the will of Emperor Deqing.
But the implication of Emperor Deqing's words is obvious - while the matter has not developed to the point of being out of control, let the ministers take the initiative to work together with themselves to settle this matter, otherwise, Emperor Deqing will act alone and investigate all the crimes of the vassal kings.
Emperor Deqing's anger was not only to force all the powerful ministers to take the initiative to enter the venue, but also to reveal a lot of information.
For example, when Emperor Deqing evaluated the crown prince Zhu Heyu, his attitude was very contradictory, on the one hand, he thought that Zhu Heyu had not made any progress over the years, and he was deeply disappointed, implying that his patience with Zhu Heyu had been exhausted, and it seemed that it was imperative to change the storage and abolish the establishment, but at the same time, he said that he had high hopes for Zhu Heyu, and deliberately emphasized that Zhu Heyu's nature was excellent - if Emperor Deqing really had a great disgust with the crown prince Zhu Heyu, it stands to reason that these expressions would not have appeared.
For example, when Emperor Deqing evaluated the vassal kings, he used extremely heavy words, and even said such words as "rebellion" and "heavy law and responsibility for the public".
Considering these factors, the attitude of Emperor Deqing seems to be obvious.
In response to these lawsuits between the crown prince Zhu and Yu and the vassal kings, Emperor Deqing is obviously on the side of the crown prince Zhu and Yu!
At the same time, Emperor Deqing wanted to use this incident to depose Zhu Heyu as the prince, and officially put Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince who was in the limelight, to the position of crown prince, but Emperor Deqing still retained the former father-son friendship for Zhu Heyu, and did not want Zhu Heyu's fate to be too miserable!
These hints of Emperor Deqing are not complicated, and all the ministers in the imperial study are scheming people, so they can naturally understand it!
After hearing the meaning of Emperor Deqing's words, the ministers were secretly shocked in their hearts, and couldn't help but glance at each other.
Finally, under everyone's gaze, Zhou Shangjing slowly stood up and made a statement.
At this time, if you want to find someone to speak on behalf of the courtiers, Zhou Shangjing is naturally the right candidate.
However, unexpectedly, it happened again.
Emperor Deqing summoned all the important ministers this time, it stands to reason that it was to consult with each other, reach a consensus, and work together to settle this matter, but after Emperor Deqing saw that Zhou Shangjing was about to speak, he didn't give Zhou Shangjing a chance to speak at all, and directly waved his hand to interrupt: "My attitude has been explained to you!" The day after tomorrow, I will reconvene the court meeting, and this matter will be openly discussed with the hundred officials at that time, and after you go back, you must also seriously consider what you should do then! Now, I don't want to hear you talk about those who have or don't, so retire! ”
After speaking, Emperor Deqing waved his hand impatiently, as if he didn't want to look at everyone anymore, and he was still angry.
Seeing Emperor Deqing's performance like this, the ministers couldn't help but look at each other.
In today's imperial study, it seems that it is Emperor Deqing's one-man show from beginning to end, and all the powerful ministers are reluctant to take the initiative to express their stance at first, and then they want to express their stance and have no chance, but there is no chance to speak from beginning to end!
Could it be that Emperor Deqing summoned them this time just to vent his anger and reprimand everyone?
Emperor Deqing's reprimand certainly hinted at his own attitude, but why didn't he go further and reach a consensus with all the powerful ministers? Just let all the powerful ministers understand and play on their own? If the courtiers had different understandings and different statements after the reopening of the court, wouldn't it cause more confusion?
For Emperor Deqing's strange attitude, the ministers became more and more puzzled, and only felt that Emperor Deqing's various performances today seemed to have other profound meanings, which were to pave the way for a certain plan in the future, and not just to vent their anger as if they were ordinary on the surface!
For a while, everyone was confused, but when they saw that Emperor Deqing was still cold-faced at this time, they didn't dare to question it, so they had to obediently retire and leave.
Zhao Junchen also couldn't guess the true thoughts of Emperor Deqing at this time, but felt that Emperor Deqing in this situation was simply unprecedentedly difficult to deal with.
However, just as Zhao Junchen was about to walk to the door of the imperial study, Emperor Deqing suddenly spoke again, and said without any fluctuation in his tone: "Zhao Junchen, you stay for the time being, I still have something to ask you!" ”
Suddenly, Zhao Junchen was shocked again, but he was secretly relieved.
At the same time, the eyes of all the pavilion elders and Shangshu also turned to Zhao Junchen, all of them had complicated eyes, and Zhou Shangjing's eyes were especially meaningful.
Emperor Deqing left Zhao Junchen to talk at this time, which will inevitably reveal more information, which of course contains many risks, but this situation is also stronger than being completely unable to guess Emperor Deqing's thoughts.
Soon, all the cabinet ministers and the six Shangshu had already left the imperial study, and then they saw Emperor Deqing raise his hand and wave, and several eunuchs in the imperial study also left.
For a time, only Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were left in the imperial study.
Obviously, Emperor Deqing's next conversation with Zhao Junchen was not only extremely important, but also extremely confidential, and he didn't want to reveal any news.
Just like when Zhao Junchen had just entered the imperial study, Emperor Deqing's gaze stayed on Zhao Junchen's body for a long time, and his eyes were full of inquiry.
Zhao Junchen was silent, waiting for Emperor Deqing to take the initiative to speak.
After a long time, Emperor Deqing finally spoke slowly and asked, "I remember that before the crown prince left Beijing to investigate the vassal kings in various places, he went to your mansion and had a secret conversation with you for a whole day!" I want to know, what did the prince talk to you about that day? ”
Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment and replied: "Your Majesty, the prince once had a misunderstanding of the ministers, and the relationship with the ministers has always been not harmonious, he took the initiative to visit the ministers that day, and the ministers were also deeply surprised at that time!" After the prince saw the minister, he took the initiative to resolve the contradictions and misunderstandings with the minister, and the minister was naturally flattered and did not dare not respond......
Subsequently, the prince said that after he became the prince, he could be said to have encountered walls everywhere and had few achievements over the years, and hoped that the minister could cooperate with him to make some achievements in the future, and the minister naturally hurriedly agreed! Then, the crown prince said that he was in charge of investigating the vassal kings in various places this time, and he was a little uncertain, so he asked the minister for advice, and the minister also gave some suggestions......
But I also hope that Your Majesty will know that the minister suggested to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at that time, that is, this matter must be done step by step and follow the rules, just for some of the most serious vassal kings, and it must not make too much trouble, otherwise it will be difficult to end, and he has never advised the prince to make too much movement! At that time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also promised well, who would have thought that he was still making a big deal now, and he actually impeached more than ten vassal kings at the same time, and the crimes listed were so serious, and the minister was also shocked after receiving the news, and he didn't understand His Royal Highness the Prince's thoughts at all! ”
Zhao Junchen's words, although there is no falsification, also concealed part of the truth.
At least, Zhao Junchen did not say the plan he formulated for Zhu Heyu to retreat and die.
After Emperor Deqing heard Zhao Junchen's explanation, he didn't have any intention of believing it.
I saw him pick up a note from the imperial case again, gently throw it at Zhao Junchen's feet, and asked, "So, the prince's statement in this secret is not your idea?" ”
Seeing this note under his feet and hearing Emperor Deqing's statement, Zhao Junchen was shocked again.
Obviously, there are two copies of the notes presented by the crown prince Zhu and Yu to Emperor Deqing, in addition to one note to impeach the vassal kings, there is also a secret note!
However, everyone was attracted by the impeachment secret, and the secrecy of the imperial study during this period was extremely good, so no one knew about this secret.
Obviously, the strange behavior of the crown prince Zhu and Yu and Emperor Deqing during this period of time is closely related to this secret.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Junchen bent down to pick up the dense sparseness and opened it to read it carefully.
Then, Zhao Junchen's expression couldn't help but change.
Why did the crown prince Zhu and Yu still hit the south wall headlong knowing that they couldn't do anything? Why is Emperor Deqing's attitude so ambiguous? What is the real goal of the two of them?
Just like Zhao Junchen's speculation, after reading this secret, he finally understood all kinds of strangeness in this matter.
"The crown prince, he has really grown...... I didn't expect him to have such courage and courage! …… His performance this time seems to be reckless and unsuccessful, but in fact he has another plan...... Including me, including Emperor Deqing, everyone underestimated his changes, and he calculated it once! …… This growth rate is really beyond expectations! ”
After reading this secret note, this is the only thought in Zhao Junchen's heart.
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PS: Things are endless, and there is an urge to pick one!
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