in the Cabinet.

Four Cabinet Scholars sat together over tea.

They are in a good mood, and over the past year, they have experienced too many things, and it can be said that they have been worrying about being tired and fighting.

But now it's different, and it's been a very stable time, so they can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Judging from the current situation, I am afraid that the situation between the DPRK and China will be maintained for a period of time, at least there will not be any major changes at the top level, and the position of the four members of the cabinet should have been stabilized.

As for other things, it's not that important.

Xu Guangqi put down the teacup in his hand, glanced at a few people, and said, "You have already seen it, Your Majesty asked the cabinet to discuss, what do you think?" ”

Han Yi and the others looked uncertain, the expressions on their faces were a little indifferent, and no one spoke.

But it doesn't mean that they don't care about this matter, Xu Guangqi knows very well what they are thinking. In fact, at this time, the forces in the capital have been almost divided.

Sun Chengzong, the secretary of the Soldier Department of the Cabinet University, united with Zhou Jiamo, the secretary of the Ministry of Officials, and can be regarded as a force in the DPRK.

Among them, Xu Guangqi himself has the power of the Ministry of Household and the Hundred Workers' Academy, plus the position of the second assistant of the cabinet, and the trust of His Majesty, and at the same time has the support of Shen Tingyun, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and is also the overlord of one party.

In addition to these two forces, Han Yi, the first assistant of the cabinet, and Huang Kezhang, the secretary of the Criminal Department, have been very close during this time, and it can be said that the two have reached a certain degree of cooperation.

Han Yi and they preached the rule of law together, supported Xunzi's thoughts, and also controlled the academy, which can be regarded as one of the more powerful forces.

The powers and responsibilities of the three forces are clear, and the division is very clear, and basically no one can bring down anyone in a short period of time.

In addition to the three of them, there is also a new General Administration Department in the DPRK and China, and there is Wei Zhongxian on the Dongchang side.

It is said that in the past few days, the commander Luo Sigong is about to finish, and His Majesty is ready to change someone to take charge of the Jinyi Guard.

It can be said that the general situation in the capital has been clarified, and the transition from a son of heaven to a courtier has also been completed.

Under such circumstances, it seems that the four members of the cabinet have reached a tacit understanding, and it is time to reach out and expand their influence and power beyond the capital.

After all, there were a bunch of people standing behind them. In the previous game, they had the support of these people, and no matter what they did in the future, they still needed the support of someone behind them, and now it should be time to reward them for their deeds.

Originally, the four of Han Yi still had some headaches, and they felt that they should arrange it slowly. But now that there is a matter between the General Administration Department and Henan, the four of them suddenly have an inexplicable tacit understanding.

If Henan is cleaned from top to bottom, then countless official positions will be vacated, from governors to prefects and counties, as well as deputy officials at all levels, all of whom can be placed with their own people.

Although the four of them had this tacit understanding and thoughts in their hearts, none of them spoke.

Because several of them all know that they can reach an agreement on the issue of dealing with Henan, but this involves the game of inserting people, and everyone wants to insert people in it, and they all want to get a higher official position.

After being silent for a long time, Huang Kezhang put down the teacup in his hand and was the first to say, "Actually, there is nothing to discuss." Henan officials are corrupt, colluding with vassal kings, and oppressing the people. ”

"Let the General Administration Department find out, arrest the people, and then send them all to Dali Temple for interrogation, and then the sentence that should be sentenced will be copied or the house should be copied, and the officials in the officialdom should indeed be rectified."

Several people glanced at Huang Kezhang and found that since he converted to Xunzi, Huang Kezhang has become more and more ruthless.

It's not enough to be corrupt, it's a big crime to label those people as befriending the vassal king!

If the local officials make friends with the vassal king privately, then there is already a plot to do wrong.

Huang Kezhang is obviously very important to arrest people back for interrogation, and their criminal department can also show its own role, and at the same time, it can also show Huang Kezhang's own attitude towards governance.

The other three looked at each other, but neither of them spoke.

However, they knew very well in their hearts that this matter must have been done according to Huang Kezhang's words.

After a moment of silence, Xu Guangqi said, "If you have no opinion, then do it?" ”

The others glanced at each other and nodded slightly.

Han Yi said: "Just do it, you have to be responsible if you do something wrong." Huang Ge Lao is right, these people are indeed too much, and they should be cleaned up. ”

Xu Guangqi nodded and said, "Then this matter is settled." ”

The official's matter is decided, but there is still a Fu King, and this matter also needs to be resolved.

Xu Guangqi thought for a while and said, "What about King Fu?" Do you guys have any ideas? You can't arrest King Fu and send him to Dali Temple for interrogation, right? ”

As soon as this question came up, several people fell silent.

In fact, King Fu should be sent to the Zongren Mansion, but everyone knows that place is a virtual yamen.

If you want to deal with King Fu now, you have to make a holy decree from Your Majesty.

In such a situation, their opinion is very important, after all, His Majesty wants them to consult.

If they don't give any advice, they won't be able to pass His Majesty's level. can't pass the level of a hundred officials.

"What is there to say about this?" Huang Kezhang spoke again, and said in a serious tone: "Just do what you have to do." ”

"The evidence is conclusive, what King Fu has done has been investigated, I think Fengyang should be assigned to guard the tomb of Emperor Taizu, remove King Fu's title of prince, and all family property will be returned to the treasury."

Several people looked at Huang Kezhang in surprise again, the meaning is obvious, don't you think it's too ruthless?

Deprived of a prince's title, sent his family to Fengyang to guard the mausoleum, and at the same time deprived all property, the punishment was somewhat excessive.

Once again, there was silence in the room.

After a while, Sun Chengzong spoke, and he said slowly: "It's better to formulate two strategies." ”

"One policy is to punish severely, according to what Huang Ge Lao said; In addition, in order to be lenient, His Majesty issued an order to punish King Fu, and all the officials and housekeepers involved in the case in King Fu's palace were severely punished, and King Fu was ordered to return all the land and property to the people and give compensation. ”

After saying this, Sun Chengzong glanced at a few people and said, "As for what to do in the end, it is better to let Your Majesty decide." ”

After Sun Chengzong finished speaking, Xu Guangqi frowned. He didn't know why Sun Chengzong would make such an opinion.

It sounds good, it is to let His Majesty call the shots, but in fact, he is throwing the responsibility to His Majesty. Could it be that Sun Chengzong thinks that His Majesty wants to exonerate King Fu? It's just that it's hard to say it yourself, and you want your courtiers to intercede for King Fu?

Don't say it's really possible.

It was not only Xu Guangqi who had this idea, but several other people suddenly thought so. Then in such a situation, it is not appropriate to take sides.

After thinking about it, Han Yi said, "Then let's do it." ”

So the cabinet came up with its own proposed opinions, and severely punished all the officials of all sizes in Henan Prefecture; For King Fu, they gave two punishments: light and severe.

If it is severe, then Fengyang will be assigned, the prince will be deprived of his title, and all family property will be confiscated.

If it is a light punishment, then an order is issued to reprimand, and at the same time the people of the palace are severely punished, and at the same time, King Fu is allowed to take out part of the family property to compensate the people, and at the same time return the land to them.

The cabinet's opinion was quickly sent to Xiyuan and handed over to Zhu Youxiao.

After looking at the opinions of the cabinet, Zhu Youxiao felt that it was not out of his expectations, and if these cabinet elders could let go of the officials from top to bottom in Henan, there would be ghosts.

It's a delicious dish there, and it's best for them to pounce on it and chew it.

Henan Governor Zhang I continued, the son of Zhang Guoyan, compared to his father, he is far behind.

Zhang Guoyan, Jiajing forty-one years of Jinshi, awarded Xiangling County. Due to his outstanding political achievements, Zhang Guoyan was repeatedly promoted, and the official was promoted to the secretary of the military department, and then led the army to defeat the "barbarians" outside the northern Saiwai, ranking first in merit, and was promoted to the secretary of the military department.

After leading the army to settle the Taohe mutiny in Gansu, Zhang Guoyan was awarded the title of prince and Taibao because of his "social merit", and he was given an embroidered official uniform with a flying fish picture, and he enjoyed a good product.

Zhang Guoyan, who is both humanistic and martial, can be said to be a capable minister among the officials of the Ming Dynasty.

But his son is not so powerful, and his path to being an official is similar to that of his father.

Wanli eight years of Jinshi, except for the Song County Order. Cao Guan, Governor of Henan, Governor of Sichuan and Guizhou, etc. When he was appointed governor of Chuangui, he was almost deposed due to defeat.

Later, he attached himself to Wei Zhongxian and was promoted to the head of the household department, and the prince and the prince.

However, Zhang Wuxu is also a capable person, after Wei Zhongxian was liquidated, Zhang Wuxu was only dismissed and went home, and his life was not lost, and he lived to be in his 80s.

But it seems that this time it will be miserable, Zhang I is now the governor of Henan, and this time there will definitely be no way to get out.

Zhu Youxiao thought for a while, beckoned to Chen Hong and said, "Let the General Administration Department pass the decree to Chen Sihai, and Henan let him do it himself." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. The slave and maid will do it. Chen Hong hurriedly bowed down and agreed.

After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao's hand gently knocked on the handrail, and the expression on his face was a little hesitant.

He was pondering the matter of the blessed king, and it was certainly impossible to deal with it lightly; But there are some that are too heavy to make a bad start.

You must know that King Fu represents not only a King of Fu, but also the vassal king of the court. If you want to do it to other princes, you can't make it too intense, otherwise there will be resistance later.

They may not be able to resist, but the devil knows what they will do. There are enough bad things for him now, and the things he has to face in the future are enough to make him anxious, so Zhu Youxiao feels that he should find a more relaxed way.

Bringing King Fu to the capital may be the best way.

After thinking about it, Zhu Youxiao decided to do what he wanted. The cabinet didn't give a very good idea, but it was okay to do so, they gave one light and one heavy, and they just happened to neutralize the mud from it.

So Zhu Youxiao ordered someone to find a few cabinet scholars.

After everyone arrived, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Okay, don't be polite, find a place to sit down." I have brought you here, and I have something to discuss with you. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Han Yi and the others hurriedly agreed, and then each found a place to sit down.

After they all sat down, Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "King Fu is my imperial uncle, although he made mistakes, but I really can't bear to punish him severely. Because when I think of my imperial uncle, I think of my father. ”

Speaking of this, Zhu Youxiao also paused, looking sad.

The expressions of the four scholars present were a little strange.

What is the relationship between King Fu and Emperor Xian?

They haven't experienced it, but they've heard of it. Are you sure that when you think of the first emperor, you don't think about killing King Fu?

But no one dares to say anything, and to debunk it at this time is tantamount to death.

So Han Yi took the lead and said: "The heavenly family is deeply affectionate, Your Majesty attaches so much importance to love and righteousness, and takes care of family affection, which is really a model in the world." However, Your Majesty also wants to mourn, the first emperor has a spirit in the sky, and I also hope that Your Majesty will cheer up his body and mind, work hard, and prosper the Ming Dynasty. ”

Several people looked at Han Yi, wiping their beards thoughtfully, and nodding lightly, looking very approving.

But they are complaining in their hearts, they are worthy of being the first assistant university scholar of the cabinet, this cheek is really thick-skinned, do you believe it yourself?

It's so shameless, it's too bottomless.

However, they also know that Han Yi is cooperating with His Majesty to act.

Your Majesty has to show that he values family affection, and the courtiers naturally can't tear down the stage. So several other people chimed in. All of a sudden, the atmosphere became harmonious.

Zhu Youxiao saw that the atmosphere was almost over, so he nodded, and the sad expression on his face disappeared.

He glanced at a few people with a serious expression, and said, "Although I can't severely punish King Fu, but I am the Son of Heaven, and the people are also my people, how can I not be the master for them?" ”

"The title of King Fu does not need to be changed, let him pass it on to his son. As for King Fu himself, don't go to Fengyang, come to the capital. When I accompanied Concubine Zheng Guifei when I arrived in the capital, my mother and son had not seen each other for many years, and I was afraid that I missed them very much. Since there is no longer the title of prince, it is good to return to Beijing. ”

"As for the new Fu King, hand over the fields and property in Henan, and come to the capital as well. I will build a palace for him in the capital, and I will teach him personally. When he is qualified, I will put him back and reinstate him. ”

Several people listened to Zhu Youxiao's words, and they were shocked.

Your Majesty is really remarkable, first of all, he attaches importance to family affection, and let King Fu return to Beijing to serve his mother, which is a great kindness.

Although you don't have the title of prince, it's because you made a mistake, and Your Majesty is already a blessing from heaven.

The title will be passed on to your son, and at the same time your son will be taught by His Majesty himself. After completing the teaching, he was put to the place to become a vassal king.

is worthy of Your Majesty, and it was really arranged properly, not only giving an explanation to the people, but also severely punishing King Fu, and at the same time not disregarding family affection.

Kill three birds with one stone.