……

……

In the early morning of the next day, after Emperor Deqing got up, he had just finished washing and dressing, and Zhang De, the great eunuch next to him, couldn't wait to report: "Your Majesty, Lord Shoufu came to the Humble Administrator's Garden before the hour today, and has been kneeling outside, claiming that he is here to ask for sin. ”

Hearing Zhang De's report, Emperor Deqing's brows subconsciously raised slightly.

After the civil rebellion in Canglang Pavilion and the impeachment of hundreds of officials, Emperor Deqing knew that Zhou Shangjing would definitely make a move, but he didn't expect Zhou Shangjing to put on such a low posture, he actually knelt down for most of the hour, and claimed to be guilty.

But I don't know, Zhou Shangjing really wants to admit his guilt? Or is it a counterattack in the name of plea? ”

Between thoughts, Emperor Deqing's expression was slightly serious, he sorted out his appearance over and over again, and ordered over and over again: "Zhou Shangjing is the first assistant of the dynasty, and he is also old, how can he keep kneeling?" Let him wait for me in the makeshift study, and I will go see him at once...... However, even if he didn't take the initiative to ask for a meeting, there were some things that I had to ask him about, and if he took the initiative to see me, it would be a lot less trouble. ”

After speaking, Emperor Deqing had already turned around and walked in the direction of the temporary imperial study.

If it is an ordinary official, who is impeached by the words of hundreds of officials, and the evidence is ironclad, Emperor Deqing does not need to do anything at all, as long as a holy decree goes down, he can be convicted and dismissed.

But Zhou Shangjing is different after all, he is not only the first assistant and the old minister of the three dynasties, but also the protégés of the party are all over the world and have great influence, so Emperor Deqing was before determining Zhou Shangjing's crime. In the end, Zhou Shangjing must be given a chance to defend himself, so as to convince the public.

So. Emperor Deqing simply summoned Zhou Shangjing.

This meeting was also the outpost of the final decisive battle between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing.

……

After Emperor Deqing came to the temporary imperial study. found that Zhou Shangjing had been kneeling for a long time.

Although the eunuchs prepared a stool for Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Shangjing did not mean to sit down, but just knelt quietly in the temporary imperial study, his old body was slightly rickety, making people look pitiful.

Of course, seeing Zhou Shangjing's appearance, Emperor Deqing did not feel pity, but he had some doubts in his heart - it was difficult. Zhou Shangjing really wants to be arrested and bow down and confess?

This is by no means Zhou Shangjing's style! Zhou Shangjing must be playing some tricks!

After secretly reminding himself, Emperor Deqing was vigilant in his heart, but his face was silent, he just came to Zhou Shangjing's side, lowered his head to look at Zhou Shangjing, and then said slowly: "You are also nearly seventy years old, if you keep kneeling, I'm afraid your body can't bear it, let's get up and talk." ”

Zhou Shangjing was still kneeling. He bowed his head and said: "The old minister asked to see His Majesty this time, and he came to ask for sin!" The sinner should naturally have the appearance of a sinner, but he didn't dare to get up. ”

"Please? What sin? Emperor Deqing snorted lightly and said, "Is it the crime of bullying the king?" The sin of cover-up? The sin of forming a party? Or is it the sin of provoking a civil uprising? ”

After speaking. Emperor Deqing continued to look down at Zhou Shangjing's expression, but Zhou Shangjing still bowed his head, so that Emperor Deqing could not see the truth.

Seeing that Zhou Shangjing did not speak. Emperor Deqing's voice raised and he said angrily: "Just last night." In just two or three hours, I received one hundred and seventeen copies! It's all about impeaching you Zhou Shangjing! It is said that you have formed a party for personal gain, deceived the king, shielded the people, and provoked the people's uprising. And so on and so forth, there are dozens of charges against each other! Ha! It's the first time I've seen such a big scene in the past ten years, but I've seen it for a long time! If all these charges are true, you don't have to plead guilty! Naturally, I will punish you! As today's first assistant and an old minister of the three dynasties, you know the law and break the law, and the influence is bad, and you have to add one more degree to the crime! ”

Then, Emperor Deqing's tone softened slightly, and he said: "However, you are an old courtier after all, you have assisted the court for decades, there is no merit and hard work, I can't beat you to death with a stick, I must give you a chance to defend yourself!" Say, what do you have to clarify about the impeachment of the officials? ”

Emperor Deqing's words seemed to give Zhou Shangjing a chance, but in fact it was just to test Zhou Shangjing's hole cards.

However, Emperor Deqing's expectations were disappointed.

I saw that Zhou Shangjing was still bowing his head, and said slowly: "The old minister doesn't dare to argue!" In order to protect his grandson Zhou Suhai, the old minister actually united with the officials of the DPRK and China to hide the matter of the Suzhou Rebellion from His Majesty, and finally inspired the people's uprising! All of this is irrefutable, and please punish Your Majesty! ”

Emperor Deqing was slightly stunned, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he asked in a condensed voice: "So, do you not intend to defend the various charges against you impeached by the hundred officials, and you have all pleaded guilty?" ”

Zhou Shangjing's voice was a little bitter, and he said: "The old minister asked to see His Majesty this time, just to ask for guilt!" All kinds of crimes are ironclad evidence, so naturally I dare not defend them! Next, no matter what your Majesty does with the minister, the minister is convinced! ”

Hearing Zhou Shangjing's answer, Emperor Deqing only felt that he had punched the cotton, and none of the various backhands he had painstakingly prepared before were useless.

In addition, looking at Zhou Shangjing's appearance of bowing his head and confessing his guilt, a complicated look flashed in Emperor Deqing's eyes, both happy and lost.

Speaking of which, Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing have been fighting openly and secretly for decades, although Emperor Deqing is the respect of the emperor, but he has repeatedly been helpless against Zhou Shangjing! Now that Zhou Shangjing has simply admitted the crime, he has been left to Emperor Deqing, saying that Emperor Deqing finally defeated Zhou Shangjing once and achieved a long-cherished wish for many years! In this way, Emperor Deqing naturally felt happy in his heart!

However, winning was too easy, there was no expected intensity and tension at all, not so much that Emperor Deqing won Zhou Shangjing, but that Zhou Shangjing took the initiative to admit defeat, which also made Emperor Deqing feel a trace of loss in his heart.

Originally, according to Emperor Deqing's expectations, Zhou Shangjing should have a fierce resistance at this time, but his various means were resolved one by one by Emperor Deqing, who had been prepared, and finally Zhou Shangjing tried his best, but he still couldn't get rid of Emperor Deqing's calculations, so he could only reluctantly bow his head and confess his guilt - only in this way, after Emperor Deqing won Zhou Shangjing, would he have a sense of achievement.

But today's situation is very different from what was expected, and Emperor Deqing can't help but feel a little disappointed.

For a while, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhou Shangjing in a daze, not knowing what he should say.

Fortunately, the eunuch Zhang De's report resolved the embarrassment of Emperor Deqing.

"Your Majesty, Shen Changmao, Shen Ge Lao, Young Fu Zhang Cheng, Lord Zhao of the Ministry of Households, Lord Shangshu Zuo of the Ministry of Industry, Lord Shangshu Lin of the Ministry of Rites, Lord Su of the Governor of Nanzhili, Lord Tang of the Ministry of Officials, Lord Wang of the Ministry of Household Affairs of Nanjing...... Let's ask to see Your Majesty. ”

Zhang De reported a long list of names, more than 20 of them, and now all the court officials above the second rank in Suzhou have appeared.

However, this is also a matter of course, whether it is the hidden situation of the Suzhou Wokou Rebellion, or the civil uprising in Canglang Pavilion, or the impeachment of Zhou Shangjing by hundreds of officials, it is a major event that is enough to shock the world, and no one dares to slack off.

Therefore, the important ministers of the imperial court came to Emperor Deqing at this time to discuss countermeasures, which is also the proper meaning of the question!

After Emperor Deqing and the important ministers of the court discussed the results and reached an agreement, he would convene hundreds of officials and publicize the world, so that there would be no chaos.

After hearing Zhang De's report, Emperor Deqing subconsciously glanced at Zhou Shangjing!

Among these important ministers in the court, Zhao Junchen's faction has hugged Emperor Deqing's thighs tightly, and is in step with Emperor Deqing; Shen Changmao's faction has been fighting with Zhou Shangjing for many years, and is Zhou Shangjing's political enemy in the DPRK and China; As for Wang Baoren, the secretary of the Nanjing Ministry of Officials, Tang Zhen of the Nanjing Ministry of Households, and others, they are Zhou Shangjing's mortal enemies!

It can be said that these important ministers of the court are all hostile to Zhou Shangjing, and no one will intercede for Zhou Shangjing!

In addition, Zhou Shangjing himself has simply admitted the crime, so after Emperor Deqing and the important ministers of the court discussed, the downfall of Zhou Shangjing is a sure thing, and he will never encounter any obstacles!

It can be said that by now, the game between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing has been clearly won and lost, and the dust has settled.

At least, that's how it looks!

If nothing happens!

……

…… (To be continued.) )