Not long after Ye Shaoyuan and the four left, Lu Qi walked into the upper study and reported to Chongzhen, saying that Yuan Keli, the secretary of the Criminal Department, asked to see him outside the palace.

Zhu Youzhen subconsciously looked at the clock in the corner, and then said with some doubts: "He wants to see me?" At this time? Did Yuan Shangshu say it for what? ”

Lu Qi shook his head, saying that he didn't know what Yuan Keli was here for. Zhu Youzhen hesitated for a moment before saying to Lu Qi: "Let's invite Yuan Shangshu in first, I think he always has something to discuss with me." ”

Lu Qi said yes and exited the room. Only then did Zhu Youzhen hand over a document in his hand to Wang Chengen on the side and said: "Give this to Lai Zongdao and tell him that he will take these two papers for the exam this time, and the exam time will be set for April 1 to 3."

The examiner who presided over the examination, in addition to Zhou Yanru from the Ministry of Rites, asked the Ministry of Officials to also send one person, and then reported to the cabinet for review. ”

As Wang Chengen went to convey Chongzhen's order, after a while, Lu Qi brought in Yuan Keli, the secretary of the Criminal Department.

Zhu Youzhen immediately got up to greet him, and without waiting for Yuan Keli to give a salute, he supported him, and said to him with a smile on his face: "Mr. Yuan is old and virtuous, so don't make these false courtesies." Sit down and talk first, Lu Qi, go and pour a cup of tea for Mr. ”

Under the forcible support of Chongzhen's hands, Yuan Keli finally avoided the salute. Although he was very grateful to the emperor for his courtesy, there was no expression on his face.

After sitting down, Yuan Keli and Zhu Youzhen exchanged a few words, and he finally got to the point, "Actually, the old minister came today to ask His Majesty to go, and I hope Your Majesty's permission." Since the beginning of winter last year, the old minister has felt deeply exhausted, and he has been unable to recover for a long time due to a minor illness, and it is often difficult to concentrate on weekdays.

In order not to delay state affairs, the minister asked His Majesty to resign from the post of secretary of the Criminal Department, and set aside time to concentrate on the school affairs of the Criminal University, which can also be regarded as cultivating some useful talents for the future of the Ming Dynasty. ”

After Zhu You heard this, he immediately spoke out to save Yuan Keli, but Yuan Keli's performance was quite resolute, so he had to back down and said: "Since Mr. Yuan feels that his energy is low, it is not good for me to continue to stay."

However, I hope that Mr. Yuan can agree to me, and after holding on for a period of time, let the imperial court decide on the candidate for the secretary of the criminal department, how about Zhishi? ”

Yuan Keli just hesitated, then nodded and agreed. Only then did Zhu Youzhen continue to ask him: "Then Mr. Yuan, as the current secretary of the Criminal Department, I wonder if you have any recommended candidates for the next secretary of the Criminal Department?" ”

After Yuan Keli thought for a moment, he said: "The minister thinks that Hui Shiyang, the servant of the Criminal Department, is capable and has profound qualifications, and let him take over the post of Shangshu of the Criminal Department, and the impact on the internal Department of the Criminal Department will be minimized. ”

Zhu Youzhen nodded, and then diverted the topic, he talked with Yuan Keli for a long time, and then ended the conversation and asked Lu Qi to send Yuan Keli out of the palace.

After Yuan Keli left, Zhu Youzhen turned his head to Wang Chengen and said, "Go find out the information of Hui Shiyang, the servant of the Criminal Department, and let me take a look." Yuan Shangshu asked for the news of Zhishi to be kept secret first, and after I have confirmed the candidate for Shangshu of the Criminal Department, you will send someone to spread it. ”

Wang Chengen hurriedly agreed, and then ran to the archive room adjacent to the upper study and found Hui Shiyang's information.

After Zhu Youzhen carefully read Hui Shiyang's information, he thought for nearly half an hour before he ordered Wang Chengen: "Early tomorrow morning, let Hui Shilang come to see me, and say that there is a treason case that he needs to take over." ”

Wang Chengen didn't react a little, and subconsciously asked, "Treason?" What does Your Majesty mean? ”

Zhu Youzhen pointed to a document in his left hand and said: "Isn't it Jinzhou return, 32 members of Sun Degong's family were kidnapped and sent here, and hundreds of Liu Xingzuo's small clansmen have also arrived in Jinzhou, and now they are being sent to Ningyuan."

This Sun Degong is the culprit of the defeat of Guangning, it is he who took refuge in Houjin, so that tens of thousands of my soldiers were buried in Shaling, and the people in Hexi fell into the hands of Jiannu, isn't he the biggest traitor?

I am planning to let someone take the small clan of Liu Xingzuo's family back to live in the capital to appease the hearts of the Liu brothers. In addition, by the way, Sun Degong's family will correct the law in front of the grave of the martyred soldiers in Shaling, so as to soothe the resentment of the dead soldiers.

Now I can try it, what kind of attitude Hui Shiyang has towards treason, isn't it right. Didn't Liu Xingxian study at the Army Military Academy? Just let him pick up his relatives and people, tell him to prepare, and wait for the formation of the team to set off together..."

After listening to Chongzhen's explanation, Wang Chengen nodded and said yes again and again, and then left the room to convey the emperor's order.

The next morning, the sun was shining, and Hui Shiyang, led by a eunuch, walked into the palace from the open white marble square.

Although the news that Yuan Keli is going to give office has not yet spread, as Yuan Keli's successor, Hui Shiyang is naturally aware of this matter.

And he also knew in his heart that the purpose of the emperor summoning him today was probably to see if he could take over the post of secretary of the criminal department.

As a backbone of Donglin who is the same as Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Zhou Chaorui, and Yuan Huazhong, and Hui Shiyang, who has made great contributions in the palace transfer case, whether in the officialdom or among the Donglin party, his qualifications can be described as profound.

But Hui Shiyang suffered, he was a native of Shaanxi, although his grandfather and father had also stepped into the official career, he only held some middle and low-level official positions, and his reputation was not obvious in the world.

The Donglin Party was originally a literati group linked by Donglin Academy, and although these literati formed a loose political group, the temperament of the literati remained unchanged.

For example, at the beginning, the eunuch party compared Hui Shiyang to a thunderbolt from the sky, known as one of the five tiger generals of Donglin, but among the Donglin party, they did not think so.

In the eyes of those Donglin Party members who were born in famous families and had close ties with each other, Hui Shiyang, who had an average family background and was good at scheming, refused to die like Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Zhou Chaorui, Yuan Hua and other gentlemen, and it was really difficult to compare with the gentlemen of Donglin.

And after losing the struggle against the eunuchs, Hui Shiyang, who was imprisoned with the gentlemen of Donglin, was a rare person who escaped.

Hui Shiyang, who has turned around from life and death, is disappointed in the incompetence and infighting of the Donglin Party. Since his reinstatement, he has kept a much lower profile and rarely participated in the rallies of the Donglin Party.

Hui Shiyang has been watching the changes in the political situation in the DPRK and China with a cold eye, watching Xu Guangqi and Qian Qianyi form a party with the acquiescence of the emperor, watching the Donglin Party members fall apart internally, and watching some Donglin Party members try to make a last effort, but in the end they lift a stone and drop themselves in the foot.

This made Hui Shiyang realize that in the current environment, it is impossible for the Donglin Party to rise again. If you want to make a difference, you obviously have to start something else.

Being able to take over Yuan Keli's position as the secretary of the Criminal Department may allow him to make his voice heard in the current situation and no longer live up to his talents.

After passing through several thresholds, Hui Shiyang finally came to the Qianqing Palace standing on the white marble platform. The eunuch who guided him stopped, smiled at Hui Shiyang and said, "Please also ask the waiter to wait here later, and wait for me to go and report one or two." ”

Hui Shiyang nodded, stood on the white marble platform, and looked at the surrounding situation. Although this Qianqing Palace was not the first time he had come, it still made him a little excited at this moment.

The vermilion palace walls around him did not look the same, they were still the same as they had seen, but under the eaves before the palace, there were a few more tables and chairs, and I don't know what they were used for.

Before Hui Shiyang's gaze turned around, Lu Qi, a close attendant beside the emperor, had already walked out and invited him to enter the upper study to see His Majesty.

Hui Shiyang tidied up his clothes and followed Lu Qi towards the east side. After entering the upper study, he saw Chongzhen standing in front of the west desk waiting for him, and he immediately stepped forward to pay respects.

Zhu Youzhen didn't stop him, but waited for him to finish saluting before he stepped forward to help him up and said, "Hui Shilang, please get up, let's sit down and talk, I came to you today, and I still have a few things to discuss with you." ”

After Chongzhen beckoned Hui Shiyang to sit down, he talked about wanting him to go to Liaoxi and punish Sun Degong's family.

When Zhu Youzhen was talking, he kept observing Hui Shiyang's expression, and found that Hui Shiyang neither showed unbearability nor anger, but seemed very calm.

After listening to the emperor's request, Hui Shiyang nodded and replied: "The minister understands, in front of the army and the bereaved families of the martyrs in Liaoxi, the family of the Sun thief will be punished to appease the hearts of the army and deter those who have dissent in Liaoxi, does Your Majesty mean this?" ”

Zhu Youzhen smiled and said: "That's exactly what it means, it seems that Hui Shilang's trip must be able to succeed immediately."

So I want to talk to you about this second thing, it's not really a thing, I just want to ask you a question. Hui Shilang thinks that what is the purpose of the existence of the Criminal Department? ”

Although Hui Shiyang had heard from Yuan Keli, the young emperor always acted unexpectedly, and often asked some questions that he didn't know. But questions like this still caught him off guard, and knocked over all the responses he thought he thought were ready to deal with the emperor's inspection of him.

But fortunately, Hui Shiyang is not a stubborn master, he was a little anxious to think for a moment, and then blurted out: "The existence of the Criminal Department is to picket the lawless people in the world for Your Majesty; Naturally, it is to maintain the order of heaven and man..."

Hui Shiyang's eloquence is very good, although it is only a temporary play, but he also speaks his own point of view, so that Zhu Youzhen nodded again and again when he heard it.