Beijing City, inside the Forbidden City.

The second court meeting this year has been going on for more than two hours.

Generally speaking, only when a relatively important event is encountered, several officials of the important yamen will gather together to discuss how to deal with the current problem, and send the conclusion reached by everyone to the Son of Heaven for approval.

Gathered together today, there were several scholars from the six ministries of the DPRK and the Central Committee, as well as several cabinet ministers and important officials such as the Imperial History of the Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

From this point alone, it can be seen that there is a big difference between this court meeting and the court meeting. At the court meeting, although Wang Zhen will also be present, but it is only an ornament around the Son of Heaven, and he can't add anything to what the courtiers play, even if he has the power to lean towards the government and the opposition, even if this thing is aimed at him, he can only pretend to be deaf and dumb at that time.

But in this court meeting, as the eunuch in charge of the seal, as long as he is present, he has the right to speak, and even the head of the cabinet, Yang Pu, who presides over the court meeting, cannot prevent him from speaking.

What these important ministers of the court are discussing today is this year's court expenses. In fact, this issue was raised as early as a year ago, but it was only because it was difficult for all parties to reach a conclusion, so it was postponed again and again, until the first month was almost over, and the overall plan for the imperial court had not yet been fully adopted.

Although it is now a prosperous world, the income of the Ming Dynasty is not too rich, and the six departments and other yamen want to do something inseparable from a money word, so these adults who used to say that silver money is a blockage, but now they have become shrewd businessmen, and they have truly achieved the baht.

At this time, as soon as Shangshu of the Ministry of War finished saying how much silver he needed for military expenses in the coming year, Wang Zhen answered: "Let's not talk about anything else." Anyway, the household department always has to take out one million taels of silver into the inner treasury before March, otherwise it will be difficult for the Son of Heaven to explain. ”

"What? You actually want a million taels of silver in the inner treasury? Several other officials immediately became annoyed and accused Wang Zhen of his reckless behavior, but the prince did not argue with them at all, but just sat there with a smile, slowly drinking tea, with a posture that you would not give or succeed.

Seeing this, Yang Pu, who was sitting at the top, smiled bitterly, it seems that this court discussion will be as difficult to have a result as the last time. Under the premise that no one is willing to lose, it is indeed not easy to satisfy everyone.

After the quarrel together, it spread rapidly, and these adults with high status have turned into street aunts, constantly accusing other yamen of not, the household department said that the Ministry of Industry has to pay more money to repair the river, and the Ministry of Industry has counted the military salaries of the Ministry of Soldiers who are too high...... What had been quite a solemn court meeting became a bit of a mess.

Finally, Yang Pu, an old minister of several dynasties, couldn't stand it anymore, and slapped his hand a few cases: "Princes, please restrain one or two, this is the palace big." After seeing that everyone was silent, he sighed again: "That's it, let's put this matter aside for the time being, and leave it for us to discuss it again in the coming day." The imperial court's finances are stretched, and I hope that all of you will be more considerate. ”

It was only at this time that these officials realized that they had lost their temper, and many of them showed shame, picked up their teacups one after another, and used tea to hide their embarrassment.

Seeing this, Yang Pu wanted to announce the end of the court meeting. But before he could speak, Hu Hu below suddenly said: "Elder Yang Ge, my lords, there is a case here that I would like to discuss with you." ”

"Huh? Hu Butang, why did you also handle the case? Yang Pu asked with some surprise.

Hu Hu just smiled and didn't explain much, but took out the document hidden in his sleeve, cleared his throat and read: "Today, there is a ......case in which Hangzhou sentenced Lu Zhen to be investigated for communicating with the Japanese people, and the parallel assassination led to the murder of He Huizhou, who was sentenced to punishment in Zhejiang."

The people only had to hear him read the beginning, and they knew what he was saying. Although Hangzhou is thousands of miles away, the case has gradually spread in the court. This is not only the reason why Lu Jin's reputation is big enough, but if you really want to investigate it, I am afraid that it will be inseparable from the deliberate promotion of some people.

Wang Zhen narrowed his eyes, and after Hu Hu finished reading all the Chinese books in his hand, he asked: "Hu Butang, did you raise this matter at today's court meeting to defend the criminal Lu Wei?" ”

In the face of such a direct inquiry, Hu Hu did not avoid answering as usual this time, but looked back at the other party directly, and then nodded and admitted: "Yes, this official has read these files related to the case and found that there are too many doubts in them, so I want to refer to them together with the princes." ”

"Lord Hu's words inevitably give birth to the idea of public and private use, this court has always discussed national affairs, how can you discuss a small case?"

"Is this a small case? Guilt is a great sin. Hu Hu replied unmoved: "And Hangzhou is still my Ming Dynasty's money and grain land, and the court should be cautious in dealing with such a case." If a good official who is loyal to the country is wronged because of the framing of some people, I am afraid that it will chill the hearts of officials and scholars all over the world. ”

He said these words sincerely, and several officials present showed a thoughtful look, only the face of Jin Lian, the secretary of the Criminal Department, was a little ugly. The case has been handed over to the Criminal Department, and he hasn't made up his mind yet, but Hu Hu has revealed it one step earlier, which makes him very uncomfortable.

Wang Zhen saw Jin Lian's unhappy look at a glance, so he laughed: "Hu Butang, aren't you afraid that people will say that you are acting on your behalf?" Since the case is not small, and the criminal department has its own trial and judgment, why should you rush for a while? ”

If it was an ordinary case, Hu Hu would naturally be able to calm down, but the recent discussions and rumors in the court made him, who had been up and down in the sea for many years, see that someone wanted to use this matter to completely put Lu Zhen in a situation where he could not recover, so he couldn't help but bring up the matter early.

As far as he knows, the Criminal Department has only obtained the relevant documents in the past two days, but all kinds of rumors have been spread in the DPRK and China, and all kinds of charges against Lu Jintong have been spread, and it seems that it will be difficult for the people to be angry if they don't kill him, and if they don't kill him, Hangzhou and even Zhejiang will be completely chaotic.

If he hadn't acted earlier, and when the Criminal Department really started to try the case, I am afraid that he would be affected by public opinion, so that Lu Zhen would have been convicted heavily, and even his life would have been taken.

Hu Hu must not let such things happen, Lu Zhen is a junior he values very much, so even if he has a disagreement with the criminal department Shangshu because of this, he must take the first step to take out the matter.

Jin Lian didn't understand Hu Hui's thoughts, he was still quite unhappy about this, so he followed Wang Zhen's words and said: "Hu Butang, since this case has been handed over to our criminal department, this official will judge impartially, and please rest assured that we will not wronged him." He bit the word "please" very hard, and the meaning was already obvious.

Hu Hu just smiled indifferently: "Jin Shangshu is a person, and the old man is naturally trustworthy." However, the accumulation of gold and gold in all mouths has ruined the bones, and some things have to be taken precautions early. ”

Jin Lian's face looked better, but Wang Zhen was a little uncomfortable: "What Hu Butang said, if it weren't for this Lu Jin's fault first, how could this case fall on his head?" Our family knows that Hu Butang has always valued this person and wants to cultivate him. But there is an ugly sentence that has to be made clear, some people still don't want to protect it! ”

Since you Hu Hu jumped out directly and wanted to protect Lu Zhen, then I, Wang Zhen, have nothing to hide, so I simply made it clear that the carriage and horse would fight you head-on. When the time comes, look at what choice this Manchu official will make!

This is the meaning of Wang Zhen's words, as soon as these words came out, the expressions of these high-ranking officials present became nervous.

Although the civil officials represented by Hu Hu and Yang Pu have long had many disputes with Wang Zhen's party, but there are very few frontal conflicts like today.

It's Yang Pu, although his face hasn't changed, his heart doesn't feel tight. He was not surprised by Hu Hui's approach, that Lu Zhen was indeed a talent, and he could become a pillar of the court in time. Out of love for talent, Hu Hu tried his best to protect him at this time. But Wang Zhen's reaction ...... The fact that he dared to embarrass Hu Hu so clearly only shows that his wings are strong enough to compete with the Chinese official forces of the DPRK.

Hu Hu also understood this, so his face also changed, and he didn't know how to respond for a while, but he just looked at Wang Zhen in a daze.

Wang Zhen also realized that his confidence seemed to be too sufficient, and there was a possibility of exposing his strength, and he also regretted it in his heart.

In fact, after years of painstaking management and division, Wang Zhen did have many henchmen in the court. However, a large proportion of these people are not exposed because of fame or other concerns. Wang Zhen also deliberately hid these people, in order to kill everyone by surprise at a critical moment.

I don't want to let Hu Hu and them realize something because of the momentary speed today, which is really a bit of a mistake. Thinking of this, Wang Zhen, who felt regretful, stood up: "It's not early today, our family still has to serve Your Majesty, so let's go first." As he spoke, he threw off his sleeves and left without waiting for everyone to react.

After being stunned for a moment, the other officials also got up and said goodbye, and a court meeting finally ended in such a strange way.

Hu Hu and Yang Pu came to the end again, and after a long silence, Yang Pu said, "Do you still plan to protect him now?" ”

"Of course, I want to protect it. And this time it is not only to protect a Lu Jin, but also to prevent the eunuch party from harming the country! Li Tang's experience has to be guarded against. Hu Hui nodded resolutely.

Yang Pu smiled: "I didn't expect you and I to be old, and we would be involved in a party struggle, but it is difficult to say what the outcome will be......" The tone was both heroic and a little sluggish......