The person who came over with the zodiac was actually Shi Fan, the imperial history of Shandong.

However, Xu Liang and Wang Qinian were both taken aback when they saw Shi Fan's appearance at this moment. Master Shi's hair was messy, and he didn't know that he hadn't combed it for a few days, his eye sockets were deep, his eyes were bloodshot, and the whole person looked extremely depressed.

Shi Fan walked in front of Xu Liang, pounced, and immediately knelt down, staring at Xu Liang with godless eyes, and said in a wooden tone: "Lord Xu, I did everything you said I did!" Now that I have killed my own teacher, I have no face to stay in the court any longer, I am willing to beg Lord Xu, let me go......" As he spoke, Shi Yushi kept kowtowing to Xu Liang.

Xu Liang looked at him in surprise, helped him up with his own hands, and asked, "What is Master Shi doing?" ”

Shi Fan listened, remembered what he had done, and even the teacher who had worked hard to cultivate him was killed, and now everyone in the court knows that Shi Fan is an ungrateful person, and everyone avoids him like a snake and scorpion! Several former classmates and friends have now broken off their friendship with Shi Fan, and even worse, they even went to Shi Fan's door and scolded loudly! Today's Shi Yushi can't raise his head in the Imperial Procuratorate, and he has to bear the fingers of others wherever he goes, and that kind of disdain and disgust makes Shi Fan even more uncomfortable than dead.

Huang Daozhou on the side knew more about Shi Fan's situation, so he told Xu Liang what happened to Shi Fan. When Xu Liang heard this, he couldn't help but sigh, this Shi Yushi is indeed too pitiful. After pondering for a while, Xu Liang looked at Shi Fan and said slowly: "Shi Fan, it can be seen that you are a trustworthy official. You have done a good job in the two things that this official has arranged. Now you can't stay in the court. Speaking of which, I also have my responsibility. I, Xu Liang, have always been very righteous to the people who have helped me. So be it. Denglai Governor Sun Yuanhua also has some friendship with this official, and this official can try to arrange you to serve under Governor Sun, and it is also convenient for you to reunite with your concubine and son, how about it? ”

Shi Fan listened, his eyes widened, originally he came to Guanglu Temple to see Xu Liang's original intention, just hoping that Xu Liang could see that Shi Fan helped Xu Liang, and try to help him transfer out of the capital and stay away from this land of right and wrong. Now Xu Liang spoke. Not only was he able to serve under Sun Yuanhua, the governor of Denglai, but more importantly, he was able to reunite with his only son, which made Shi Fan overjoyed.

Shi Fan was so excited that he burst into tears, and kowtowed to Xu Liang several times in a row.

"Thank you, Lord Xu! Thank you!! ”

The matter of Shi Yushi can only be regarded as a trivial matter for Xu Liang. sent Shi Yushi back, Xu Liang and Huang Daozhou. Wang Qinian and the two closed the door again to discuss it, and confirmed that the matter of framing Cao Yubian, no matter what was written in Cao Ge's old blood book, would not affect Xu Liang. Xu Liangcai was completely relieved.

A slight knock on the door was heard.

Xu Liang was slightly stunned, there were Tsing Yi guards outside his office room, waiting for his free time. Even if Shen Congliang, the young secretary of Guanglu Temple, came over, he would be stopped by Tsing Yi Wei.

The one who knocked on the door. must be a member of Xu Liang's lineage.

Xu Liang gestured to Wang Qinian, and Wang Qinian stepped forward and opened half of the door. The head of the Tsing Yi guard flashed in quickly.

Wang Qinian casually closed the door again.

Xu Liang, Huang Daozhou and the others looked at the iron head whose breath was slightly rapid in confusion, obviously, the iron head was trotting all the way.

"What's wrong? Could it be that Cao Ge's old blood book has a new eyebrow? "Xu Liang thought about it, Tietou was ordered to investigate the matter of the blood book of the old eunuch Cao Ge before his death, and now he came in a hurry, thinking that the investigation had a result.

Tietou gasped and hurriedly shook his head: "Young Master, it's not a matter of blood books." I just received news from the Detective Division that the Cabinet Deputy Commander Nari Kimei has resigned from his post as Deputy Assistant. ”

The three Xu Liang in the house were all surprised, and they all surrounded the iron head, and Xu Liang asked, "What is the reason?" ”

Huang Daozhou asked, "Is the emperor approved?" ”

Wang Qinian said with emotion: "This ...... It's so sudden! ”

Tie Tou said: "According to the news from the little Du Zigong in the palace, Cheng Ge always submitted his resignation when the emperor summoned him today, the reason is that Cheng Ge is very old, and he is sick and in pain, and he is begging for rest due to illness. ”

Xu Liang asked anxiously, "Has the emperor allowed it?" ”

"That's right." Iron Head nodded and said.

There was a sudden silence in the room, and Xu Liang, Huang Daozhou, and Wang Qinian looked at each other.

Wang Qinian still looked at Tietou with incredible eyes, and asked, "The emperor is gracious so soon?" Didn't retain? ”

The iron head said with certainty: "No! ”

Xu Liang gasped, and after being shocked, he felt unusual. Cheng Jiming is the second assistant of the cabinet, although he is loyal and honest, and sometimes he is weaker in handling government affairs, but he is also the second assistant of the cabinet, and his status is second only to the first assistant Zhou Yanru, although he is indeed more than fifty years old, but he has always been in good health, why is he suddenly sick?

And as soon as he resigned, the emperor actually approved it!

Unusual, so unusual!

Xu Liang only felt that his throat was dry, and his throat and eyes seemed to be smoking, this kind of news was too shocking. Turning around, Xu Liang shouted at Tietou: "Tell me to go down and try to find out what happened to Cheng Jiming with the informed eunuch in the palace!" ”

After the iron head left in a hurry, Xu Liang and Huang Daozhou, Wang Qinian no longer had the heart to discuss things, and Xu Liang sent Huang Daozhou and Wang Qinian out to listen to the news.

However, until the night, I only knew that Cheng Ji's resignation was a foregone conclusion, but the specific reason was unknown.

At the court meeting the next day, when Wang Chengen, the celebrant and superintendent, read out the holy decree praising the second auxiliary foundation, all the ministers understood that the cabinet had indeed collapsed with a bang!

After the reading of the holy decree, the cabinet assistant Cheng Jiming bowed to Emperor Chongzhen with a gloomy expression, kowtowed three times, and then got up, and then walked out of the Jinluan Hall with a gloomy expression, and his figure was lonely and desolate.

From beginning to end, Emperor Chongzhen had a cold face, even when Cheng Ji was ordered to kowtow to the emperor. The emperor's face did not change, it was as cold as ice.

Waiting for Cheng Jiming to finally walk out of the Jinluan Palace. Emperor Chongzhen coldly glanced at the ministers in the main hall, and said in a deep voice: "Today's court meeting ends here. After that, the cabinet, the six ministries, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Dali Temple, the General Administration, the Temples, the Six Branches, the Jinyi Wei and other officials followed me to the platform to discuss matters. ”

Emperor Chongzhen said this. took the eunuch Wang Chengen with his pen and walked away. In the main hall, the ministers were clueless by Emperor Chongzhen's words.

After everyone else left, several yamen chiefs who were named by Emperor Chongzhen gathered together, and Fu Yu, the secretary of Taichang Temple, couldn't hold his breath the most, squeezed in front of several cabinet ministers, and asked Zhou Yanru, the first assistant of the cabinet: "Lord Shoufu, what does the emperor want us to discuss on the platform?" Also, why did Cheng Ge suddenly resign? ”

Fu Yu can be said to have asked the voices of many officials who did not know the inside information. All the officials looked at Zhou Yanru and waited for Lord Shoufu's response.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Shoufu was an old official, but his words were not leaky, and he glanced at Taichang Siqing Fu Yu lightly. said: "The sacred heart is unpredictable, what does the emperor want to discuss, how can we, who are courtiers, be able to figure it out?" Your Excellency, don't be suspicious. As soon as I met the emperor, I naturally knew. ”

Let's talk about it. Zhou Yanru led the ministers to the platform first.

Xu Liang walked out with the ministers, and then saw Huang Daozhou, the imperial historian of the Imperial Palace, following him. I was stunned for a moment, and then I was stunned.

The Chongzhen Dynasty's Imperial Court was originally not fully equipped, when Cao Ge Lao concurrently served as the Imperial History of the Left Capital, he was afraid that more high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court would divide his power.

Cao Ge died suddenly, and the court has not appointed a new candidate for the imperial history of the left capital, and several times in the entire Imperial Procuratorate, only the Imperial Zodiac Zhou of the Imperial Capital has the highest grade, so the Imperial Zodiac Zhou of the Imperial Capital represents the Imperial Court and goes to the platform to discuss matters.

Huang Daozhou followed behind Xu Liang and muttered in a low voice: "My lord, the lower officials feel that most of the things that Your Majesty will discuss in a while are related to Cao Ge Lao and Cheng Ge Lao. ”

Xu Liang listened, and responded in a low voice as he walked: "I also have this intuition. The six cabinet ministers of the court died and resigned in half a month, and they actually went to two. The emperor is young and vigorous, and he must take action! ”

The ministers walked for a quarter of an hour and then gathered on the platform.

At this time, Emperor Chongzhen was already standing against the railing, and his eyes fell on the palace pavilion in the distance.

"Ministers see the emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" Xu Liang saluted with the ministers.

"Everyone, get up." Emperor Chongzhen's tone was still cold, but it sounded much softer than when he was in the main hall.

The ministers got up and looked at Emperor Chongzhen.

Chongzhen turned around, swept his gaze to the ministers, and then sat down under the arranged canopy, propped his hands flat on the desk in front of him, looked at the ministers with cold eyes, and said coldly: "I summoned you Aiqing here today because I have a major matter to deal with. Emperor Chongzhen tapped the desk a few times with his fingers, making a slight clanging sound.

"Zhu Aiqing should still remember that on this platform, I summoned Yuan Chonghuan three times before and after." Emperor Chongzhen's voice sounded slowly, although the voice was not loud, in the ears of the ministers, it was not weaker than a thunderbolt!

Emperor, it's time to deal with Yuan Chonghuan!

Xu Liang and Huang Daozhou exchanged glances, both staring at Emperor Chongzhen.

"I have always had very high expectations for Yuan Chonghuan!" Emperor Chongzhen said, "I promoted Yuan Chonghuan from a flat-headed commoner to the governor of Jiliao in one fell swoop, guarding Liaodong, asking people to give people, asking for money to give money!" Even if he killed Mao Wenlong, the chief soldier of Phi Dao, as soon as he took office! I still trust him! ”

When Emperor Chongzhen said this, his tone changed and he became annoyed: "I trust him so much! And how did he repay me? Governor Liaodong for several years, spent countless money and silver on the court, but he made no achievements, and Houjin regarded the Liaodong defense line as if there was nothing, and drove straight into it, attacking and harassing the Beijing Division! What's even more infuriating is that after the incident, Yuan Chonghuan waved tens of thousands of elite soldiers, which could have blocked the Houjin soldiers from the capital! ”

Bang! Emperor Chongzhen slapped the case and was furious: "But what did he do?!" With tens of thousands of elite soldiers, the Jin army followed for five days! For five days, not a single battle was fought, and the Houjin soldiers were allowed to attack under the city of Beijing! Even at the life-and-death juncture of the defense of the Beijing Division, this guy is still well-behaved, regardless of the overall situation, turning the muzzle of the gun and wounding the general Man Gui! ”

Call! Call! Call! Emperor Chongzhen's chest rose and fell violently, obviously angry to the extreme.

And all the ministers on the platform lowered their heads one by one, so frightened that they didn't dare to come out.

"Huh!" Emperor Chongzhen's expression didn't know whether to cry or laugh, he nodded heavily to himself, walked in front of the ministers, and let out a long breath: "Even so! In my heart, I still think that Yuan Chonghuan is a talent that can be created, and I can't bear to kill him! But...... But! This guy was imprisoned in the edict, and he still didn't want to repent, and he actually wanted to bribe the ministers in order to protect himself! ”

Emperor Chongzhen smiled angrily: "Just because of a mere 30,000 taels of silver, I have lost two important ministers in the cabinet!" Chongzhen shook his hand at the ministers and shouted angrily: "You say, should Yuan Chonghuan be killed?" Should I kill or not?! ”

The ministers lowered their heads to a lower point, and no one dared to answer.

Emperor Chongzhen's eyes flashed with resentment, and he stared at the dozen or so important ministers of the court in front of him, from this person's face, he saw that person's face, his cheeks agitated, and he gritted his teeth!

No one on the platform dared to speak, only the heavy panting sound of Emperor Chongzhen could be heard, and the atmosphere was heavy and depressing.

After a long time, someone finally spoke up. Sun Chengzong, a scholar of Wuyingdian University, stood up and bowed his hand to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty is angry! The minister thought that there were still many doubts in the case of Yuan Chonghuan's bribery to be verified......"

"Shut up!" Before Sun Chengzong finished speaking, he was shouted by Emperor Chongzhen.

"Your Majesty ......!" Sun Chengzong's body trembled, and when he looked up at the emperor again, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and he persuaded bitterly: "Yuan Chonghuan, even if he has many mistakes, his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and the emperor is beyond doubt!" He may be unruly, or he may be arrogant! But when it came to bribing cabinet ministers, the old minister dared to guarantee with his head: Yuan Chonghuan couldn't do such a thing! ”

"You're enough!" Emperor Chongzhen roared angrily, his white face turned red with anger, pointed directly at Sun Chengzong, and said angrily: "I will use Yuan Chonghuan, but I first misheard your advice!" Now that Yuan Chonghuan is guilty, you are still defending him! You give me a step down, I don't want to hear your words! ”

"The Emperor's ......"

"Stand down!!"

Sun Chengzong's expression was discouraged, he let out a long sigh, and retreated gloomily.

Emperor Chongzhen's anger did not subside, he glared at Qiao Yunsheng, the secretary of the Criminal Department, and asked: "Yuan Chonghuan's crime is extremely evil, how can the three law divisions convict?" ”

Qiao Shangshu almost lowered his head under his crotch and was silent.

Chongzhen turned his gaze to Dali Siqing again, and Dali Siqing didn't dare to answer.

Emperor Chongzhen sneered twice, and said resentfully: "Okay, the three law divisions don't dare to convict, I will decide!" Yuan Chonghuan's crime is extremely heinous, according to the law, Ling Chi! (To be continued.) )