Chapter 8 The ministers are in trouble and the wood is trapped

Seeing that it was already slightly white outside, Emperor Chongzhen said: "Today is still early, I have to sleep for a while." Zhang Dongjia stays in the capital for a few more days, and we have to talk about it. I can send someone to fetch the money, and you can arrange for someone to follow you." ”

Zhang Zhimu got up and said, "Okay, the emperor should rest early." ”

Emperor Chongzhen kept sending Zhang Zhimu to the door, and watched Zhang Zhimu get into the carriage, which made Zhang Zhimu a little moved.

On the way back, the prince said: "Hey, I've been in the palace for so many years, and I haven't seen the emperor come out to give it away. ”

Zhang Zhimu asked: "Did you see the emperor talking with a few people for a night?" ”

"Oh, don't say it, that's you." Wang Gonggong said.

Back in that courtyard, it was already dawn. Zhang Zhimu saw that all the people were not sleeping.

Seeing Zhang Zhimu coming back, Yang Yulin's tears were about to fall, and she said, "Why have you been gone for so long, we thought something was wrong." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "No, the emperor saw that we had done a lot for the court, so he rewarded a beautiful woman, can I stay there without obeying the order?" ”

Zhang Zhimu felt really sleepy at this time, and said, "Let's all sleep for a while, and then talk about what is going on." ”

Everyone also felt sleepy at this time, and they all looked for a place to sleep.

The news of Zhang Zhimu's departure from the palace was also the first to be notified to the ministers who cared about Zhang Zhimu, and some of these ministers said: "It's not early, everyone should sleep for a while, otherwise the morning will be out of energy for a while." ”

These people also fell asleep one after another.

The politics of the Ming Dynasty was very strange, he was composed of three forces, one was the military general group, the other was the eunuch group, and the other was the literati group. The three groups restrain each other and are played by the emperor in the palm of his hand.

However, after the Tumubao Incident, a large number of deaths and losses of the sons and daughters of the nobles caused no one to speak in the court on behalf of the military general group, and the civilian official group took the opportunity to seize power, resulting in the low status of the military generals in the middle and late Ming Dynasty and an important turning point for the civil officials to be bullied. The emperor had no choice but to enable the support of the eunuch group to restrain the civil official group. However, after Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, he attacked the eunuch group represented by Wei Zhongxian, and hired a group of Donglin Party members, and the power of the civil official group flourished again.

It is said that because of the cabinet ministers, it should be a good thing to let the emperor make fewer mistakes when making decisions. But those sour Confucians who only know how to talk about it seem to be more willing to be more interested in power, and these straw bales hinder the emperor everywhere. Because the power of these civil servants in the court was too great, although Emperor Chongzhen had replaced dozens of cabinet chiefs and assistants during his reign, he still had to compromise with the civil officials frequently.

The civil bureaucracy's efforts to restrain and control the imperial power even far exceeded the energy they should have spent on assisting the emperor in governing the country. When they found that the Yaogang force represented by Zhang Zhimu was an external force of the emperor, they thought of finding a way to get rid of this hidden danger, so that they didn't care what useful things the Yaogang had done for the imperial court, as long as the forces that could not be used by them must be eliminated.

Emperor Chongzhen was in a good mood, although he didn't sleep much, he still felt in good spirits, he didn't know that a planned conspiracy was waiting for him.

After dealing with some miscellaneous matters in the morning, Emperor Chongzhen left the cabinet ministers, and everyone else retreated.

Emperor Chongzhen said with joy: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have good news to tell you. I have already agreed with Zhang Dongjia in Yaogang, and he has promised to lend the court silver. ”

What the emperor didn't expect was that none of the ministers expressed their happiness, and the emperor asked puzzledly: "Ladies and gentlemen, haven't you heard my words?" Isn't there a demand for silver everywhere? ”

Huang Zongfang, the first minister, saw that the emperor was in a hurry, so he raised his head and said: "Your Majesty, it is a good thing to be able to borrow silver to solve the urgent need, and we are all happy." But we heard that Zhang Zhimu from Yaogang has entered Beijing, and we must not let him go, because letting him go is letting the tiger return to the mountain. This person has been ambitious for a long time, and the emperor must not ignore it? ”

Emperor Chongzhen listened to Huang Zongfang's words, and was shocked, how could he leak the news of such a secret matter. It seems that these ministers are still very photographable, these people have obviously discussed this matter, and today they want to come together to themselves.

Emperor Chongzhen asked: "Have you forgotten what this kiln Zhang Dongjia did for the imperial court?" ”

For such a question, the sharp-tongued Wenchen had already been prepared, and one said: "The emperor is aware that everything this Zhang Zhimu does is also for their own business convenience. Let's just say that this time they fought Li Chuang's thief army, also for their own convenience in doing business through the Yellow River. ”

Chongzhen's hands trembled a little, and he asked sharply: "You are full of civil and military affairs, why don't you destroy Li Zicheng's navy for the imperial court?" Shouldn't the imperial court open a waterway for the people of the world? What you can't do, seeing that others have done it, you are not grateful and jealous of others, shameless worries. ”

Obviously, these ministers still have to stick to the matter to the end, one said: "Your Majesty, we are all thinking about the court and the country." If you put this Zhang Zhimu back this time, you will lose both people and money, not only will the court not get the silver you promised, but this person will be in great trouble for the court in the future. ”

Another said: "Just because his own mercenaries are in possession of firearms, he should be guilty of treason." ”

Emperor Chongzhen asked sharply: "Okay, you said that he beat Li Zicheng's navy for his own business needs, then let me ask you, if it wasn't for Zhang Zhimu leading people to beat the Manchu Qing away last time, would we be able to talk here like this today?" ”

A Wenchen said: "He is a businessman who can have a stronger military force than the official army of the imperial court, and the emperor can't help but guard against it?" ”

Chongzhen was afraid of the table case, and drank: "Is it also ambitious for him to lend the court silver?" Is there such a thief who sells weapons to the officers and soldiers at the cheapest price? You say he has ambitions, who has the evidence to take it out! ”

What Chongzhen didn't expect was that these ministers knelt down together, and one said: "The emperor is clear, the silver in the hands of Zhang Zhimu of this kiln gang is definitely more than one or two million taels." Now that the imperial court is in crisis, it is not impossible to recover all his silver and use it to suppress thieves. The emperor took back the kiln and got more than that. If you put Zhang Zhimu back, if you don't get the money, this person will be even more difficult to deal with when he goes back. Your Majesty, we are all thinking about the court. ”

Emperor Chongzhen said: "Since you know that the whole world is not the king's land, then I asked you to donate some silver, why don't you donate." Will I take back the money from your house? ”

The ministers knelt there in unison, but they didn't get up.

Emperor Chongzhen understands that these people have discussed today to force the palace together, and it is useless to say anything by himself today. Looking at the ministers who were kneeling down, Chongzhen knew that he couldn't mess around today, otherwise it would not end well. He said, "Get up, all of you!" Your faithfulness, I am clear. But we can't doubt the righteous people who have solved the difficulties for the imperial court several times for no reason. I will leave Zhang Zhimu in the capital for a few days, and give you a little time, if you can indeed find evidence that Zhang Zhimu has rebelled, I will not let it go without you saying it. Don't say ugly things, I'll make it clear first, if you don't find evidence before you find it, if anyone dares to touch Zhang Zhimu, I will destroy his nine clans. Stand down! ”

The first game of the Wenchen basically achieved their goal, leaving Zhang Zhimu in the capital, and the rest was to take advantage of Zhang Zhimu's absence in Beijing to make a fuss, so as not to worry about finding Zhang Zhimu's loopholes. However, they also know that this time Emperor Chongzhen was forced to be helpless, and with the emperor's temperament, he would not give up, just based on the emperor's last words, these people really didn't dare to make a mistake.

After the emperor asked the ministers to step down, he felt that he was really calculated by these ministers today. It was these people who asked him to come forward to borrow money, and it was these people who wanted to embarrass Zhang Zhimu this time, and he wanted to distinguish Zhang Zhimu, but these people were not allowed, and today's posture was to not keep Zhang Zhimu and never give up. If I hadn't put up with it, it would have ended really badly today. However, how to tell this Zhang Zhimu about this. Originally, he borrowed 1 million taels of silver from others, but they generously agreed to lend 2 million taels at once. Today's matter, if you talk to Zhang Zhimu, this Zhang Zhimu will not laugh at himself. Emperor Chongzhen's mood has plummeted from yesterday's elation to today's depression. What makes Chongzhen even more angry is that he has such a secret matter, how could it leak the news, when did these ministers discuss this matter, how could there be no news from the East Factory and the West Factory, it is really terrible. The safety of this Zhang Zhimu must be protected. It is not impossible for these ministers to attack Zhang Zhimu first, give me a raw rice to cook and cook, and say that they are thinking about the interests of the country.

Unlike Emperor Chongzhen, Zhang Zhimu, who had a good night's sleep, woke up and was not very excited. Thinking of a conversation with the emperor yesterday, Zhang Zhimu felt that the emperor was determined to make great efforts, but he had no ability to determine the world. Now the Ming Dynasty is politically corrupt, militarily defeated, and economically declining, but Emperor Chongzhen has no more effective way to deal with the future of the Ming Dynasty, which is full of holes, but has basically lost the command and control of most of the areas. Seeing that he was overworked, his hair was gray in his thirties, and the corners of his eyes were already crawling with wrinkles, and he looked tired. In addition to feeling a little pitiful, Zhang Zhimu really realized that this emperor was not something that anyone could do. I want to support this crumbling emperor as much as possible now, and let him continue to support the sky in the north. When I can build the railway to the northern border, I won't have to worry about the emperor, and I will arrange a cultural and historical commissioner for you to do it.

It is said that Emperor Chongzhen is really still a rare good emperor in history.

Chongzhen's name was Zhu Youzhen, born in the first month of 1610, and was the son of the crown prince Zhu Changluo (later Mingguangzong). Chongzhen's mother died when he was five years old, although he was the son of the prince, but Zhu Changluo's prince status was not stable at that time, and Emperor Wanli had to abolish his crown prince position several times, and wanted to make Zheng Guifei's son the prince; In addition, Wanli is a person who is indifferent to family affection (in fact, because of the large number of descendants of the emperors of previous dynasties, family affection is often as plain as water), so Chongzhen has almost never enjoyed the family fun of a civilian family since he was a child. Wanli didn't like Chongzhen's father, and of course he didn't like the introverted Chongzhen even more. Later, his biological father went through ups and downs and became a ninety-five, but in the year of his accession, he died of overindulgence. The throne passed to Chongzhen's elder brother Zhu Youxiao. The young emperor had little interest in governing the world, and handed over the power to the eunuch Wei Zhongxian. In the eyes of this emperor, even the Ming Dynasty can be so indifferent, let alone Chongzhen, a half-brother. Therefore, in Chongzhen's childhood and adolescence, he did not enjoy the usual parental love and brotherly affection at all, but witnessed and experienced horrific political conspiracies such as the Red Pill Case and the Palace Removal Case.

In the previous life, there was too much discussion about the merits and demerits of Emperor Chongzhen. One thing is recognized by everyone, that is, Emperor Chongzhen is a diligent and hard-working emperor.

Emperor Chongzhen was only seventeen years old when he succeeded to the throne. In the face of a crisis and chaos left by his father and brother, he has the determination and energy to do things and do great things. Therefore, he always got up when the rooster crowed, fell asleep late at night, and often summoned courtiers to discuss statecraft.

In the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, Emperor Chongzhen was temporarily exempted from the early dynasty because of his illness, and was criticized by the cabinet ministers. This shows his determination to turn the tide and the degree of diligence in his administration.

Yang Yulin saw Zhang Zhimu sit there silently after getting up, and in order to make Zhang Zhimu happy, she asked: "Why do you get up in a daze, are you still thinking about the beauty rewarded by the emperor?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said casually: "Yes, the beauty rewarded by the emperor is good!" Don't forget to bring it back for me when you go back to Shanxi. ”

After the two laughed and washed up, they went to the dining room to have some food. Zhang Zhimu was thinking, what are you going to do in a while, and the prince is here again.

However, Zhang Zhimu saw that this time the prince was not giggling like before, but with a serious face, Zhang Zhimu knew that something must be wrong.

Sure enough, after the prince saw Zhang Zhimu, he said, "Zhang Dongjia, come with me." ”

Zhang Zhimu and Wang Gonggong entered the room, closed the door, and Wang Gonggong said, "Zhang Dongjia, something bad is wrong. I don't know why the news of your secret entry into Beijing leaked out. The emperor scolded me for scolding, and I didn't even dare to let out a fart. Why did you say that this matter was leaked? ”

Zhang Zhimu laughed and said, "I think something big has happened." If the news leaks, let it go, I'm not a thief. I can just walk around the capital. ”

Seeing that Zhang Zhimu didn't take it seriously, the prince was anxious and said, "Oh, I said you, it's not serious." Just now, those ministers challenged the emperor, and they demanded that they resolutely not let you go back to Shanxi, saying that you had the intention of rebellion. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Joke. The emperor understands me, and when they say that I have the intention of rebellion, I will have the intention of rebellion. The royal law of the Ming Dynasty also has to talk about evidence, right? ”

The prince saw that Zhang Zhimu still didn't understand, so he told the ministers about kneeling down and forcing the palace together. At this time, Zhang Zhimu felt that the matter was a bit big. But Zhang Zhimu wasn't too scared. Because, Li Jing told Zhang Zhimu that after he and Wang Gonggong left, Li Jing quietly sneaked out of the courtyard and contacted Liu Yun, Meng Si'er and others who had already put on makeup and entered Beijing. They have already sent someone to keep an eye on this courtyard, and they can snatch Zhang Zhimu out at any time if they have something.

"Princess, what does the emperor mean?" Zhang Zhimu asked.

The prince said, "After a while, you come with me and see what the emperor has to say to you." ”

"Why don't I live here? Are you going to put me in prison? Zhang Zhimu asked.

"Look at what you said, the emperor has ordered the Imperial Guards to fence this place, and no one is allowed to approach here. After seeing the emperor, you still go back to live here. The emperor is already very unhappy to leave you, who dares to send you to prison. To tell you the truth, if I'm in a hurry, I'm desperate, and I won't agree to someone harming you. Wang Gonggong's words moved Zhang Zhimu very much.

Zhang Zhimu asked: "Can my people still come and go here freely?" ”

"It's all right, just don't go out by yourself. Since the emperor promised his ministers to leave you in Beijing first, he is to give them a little face. They can't say anything else when you're here. Wang Gonggong explained.

Before leaving, Zhang Zhimu told Li Jing about the situation and asked him to find a way to tell Liu Yun and them about the situation, so that they should not act rashly and take a look at the situation. However, it is necessary to immediately send someone back to the kiln to inform the family, so that the family can be prepared, and these ministers will definitely take advantage of Zhang Zhimu's absence in the kiln gang to take action against the kiln. Let the family cope as much as possible, but there must be no loss. Don't let panic in your home, either.

This time, the emperor didn't have to secretly see Zhang Zhimu, he met Zhang Zhimu in the Wenhua Palace.

When he saw Zhang Zhimu again, Emperor Chongzhen looked very listless. However, he tried his best to say in a relaxed tone: "Zhang Dongjia, you can stay in the capital for a few more days." I also know that you are a hardworking person, even if you take a break in the capital this time. I also need to give some face to my ministers. This world still needs everyone to support it together. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, Your Majesty." I'll stay in the capital for a few more days. However, I'm afraid that Li Zicheng and they will not be so idle. In addition, I would like to ask, can such ministers accomplish the great task of suppressing thieves and restoring national strength? ”

Emperor Chongzhen is actually very helpless, he wants to find some capable ministers very much, but the ones selected are all some boasts and strange talks, intrigue and intrigues, and no one can come out to take charge of things. This incident made Emperor Chongzhen's heart blocked, but he couldn't attack yet, which is the cleverness of these people. Let them come up with a strategy to suppress thieves, and it is full of ugliness. But without them, who does the court rely on to support it?

Emperor Chongzhen diverted the topic and said, "I have ordered the Imperial Forest Army to surround the house where you live, and if anyone is unfavorable to you, I have warned them that they will destroy their nine clans." ”

Zhang Zhimu hurriedly said: "Thank you, Emperor." ”

Emperor Chongzhen said: "You send someone to return to Shanxi as soon as possible and bring back the silver, so I can see what they say?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The emperor can rest assured, if Gonggong Li is ready, I will arrange for someone to go back with him tomorrow." ”

Emperor Chongzhen said: "That's good." I would also like to thank Zhang Dongjia. The mirror you brought was even better than the mirror of a Westerner, but I didn't expect to have a mirror as tall as a person. The whole person can shine into it, the zipper and lock are even more clever, and the soap is really easy to use. The same fur, you make it like snow, soft as dough. No wonder you potters earn money, and there are too many skilled craftsmen there. ”

Zhang Zhimu also felt that it was a little more relaxed, and said: "Your Majesty, it won't take too long, when our glass can be mass-produced, we will come over and replace all the windows in the palace with glass, so that the house will be bright without lighting." If we get the electric lights out, we won't need open flames at night. The room will also be lit up as it is during the day. ”

Emperor Chongzhen was very interested in these and asked, "What you said, when will you wait?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "It will be this time next year at the latest." ”

Emperor Chongzhen said: "That's great. It's a pity that the world is not peaceful, otherwise I will go with you to your kiln to have a look. ”

Zhang Zhimu joked: "Those ministers won't let you go, they are afraid that I will rebel and harm you!" Ha ha! ”

Emperor Chongzhen also laughed, and suddenly asked: "Zhang Dongjia, tell me the truth, do you really have the intention of rebellion?" ”

Zhang Zhimu was shocked, and asked with a smile on his face: "Your Majesty, I see that you are full of white hair and look haggard." Is it so good to be the emperor? ”

Emperor Chongzhen's expression suddenly relaxed, and he said, "It's still Zhang Dongjia who understands me." I really hope that someone who can turn the tide will succeed me as emperor. What it's like to be the emperor, only I know. ”

Since Zhang Zhimu and Emperor Chongzhen were not very relaxed, after talking for a while, Zhang Zhimu took his leave and returned to his residence.

Meet Zhang Zhimu. Li Jing told Zhang Zhimu that the letter had been sent to Liu Yun and them. Zhang Zhimu nodded and said, "Okay!" ”

Li Jing said again: "It's going to take a little effort to get in and out now." There was already a ring of Guards outside. ”

Zhang Zhimu nodded and said, "Just know our situation here." You arrange two people tomorrow to go back to Yaogang with Gonggong Li, help them inform Uncle Chen, and escort the silver used by the imperial court over. ”

Li Jing said: "Okay, I'll arrange it." ”

In the evening, Zhang Zhimu wrote a letter and asked Li Jing's two people to take him back to the kiln with Li Gonggong and hand it over to Chen Yufeng. Of course, the letter was followed by a letter written in cipher with milk. Due to the fact that after writing the letter, he had to translate the password word by word, and Zhang Zhimu wrote this letter almost until dawn.

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Calculus formulas, tables of chemical elements; Conquer Japan in the east and attack Mayi in the south; Penicillin, syringe. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".