In the capital, in the Zhonghe Palace, Chongzhen sat on the dragon chair, listening to the report of the little eunuch below with a sad face.

The surrounding Manchu civil and military also had serious expressions, and some people were even crying silently.

"Your Majesty, since the slave maid left Beijing, the starry night rushed to Gaoyang City to invite Lord Sun Chengzong to come to Beijing to take office, but I didn't expect that Jiannu was faster than the slave's horse, and when the slave maid arrived in Gaoyang City, Gaoyang City had been besieged by Jiannu, and Lord Sun took the whole family of men to the city gate building to fight with Jiannu."

"However, the old man is old and weak, the Jiannu people are strong and strong, the old man repelled three waves of Jiannu attacks, in the fourth attack, Jiannu broke through Gaoyang City, the old man's five sons, six grandsons, and two nephews all died in the city gate tower."

"After the city was broken, the boss refused to be humiliated, faced the direction of the capital, hanged himself, died in the country, Jiannu entered Gaoyang City, annoyed with the actions of the old man Sun, slaughtered the city like a beast, and none of the more than 100 people of the Sun family were spared, and all of them suffered."

After listening to the eunuch's story, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty were dumbfounded, they didn't expect Sun Chengzong to be so strong, and none of the men in the family were spared, and all of them died on the city gate tower, so wouldn't the Sun family be extinct?

This old man Sun is too stupid, if the Tartars come, they will surrender, who is the emperor in these years is not the emperor, why should he die in the country, it's a pity.

Many ministers of the DPRK and China slandered in their hearts, and did not approve of Sun Chengzong's behavior of dying the country, this old man is stupid and cute, too stupid, who would do this in a normal person.

Everyone thought about it, but at this time, the attitude still had to be done, and they saw an adult shouting loudly: "Sun Gong, the national soldier!" ”

A roar was followed by a loud cry, the cry was so loud that it made people's hearts shake, as if they could see the infinite admiration and sorrow for Sun Daren in the hearts of this bureaucrat, as if there was no one in the impeachment of Sun Chengzong seven years ago.

Listening to this person's cry, for a while there was a faint sobbing sound in the hall, and the most fierce crying was the guy who impeached Sun Chengzong back then, not that these guys felt remorse, mainly because Sun Chengzong died in the country, and the positive energy attribute was too high, and these ministers who had impeached Sun Chengzong were facing political risks, after all, if someone brought up the old things again, they would be speechless, which is not a good thing.

Therefore, crying at this time is sad, let Your Majesty look at himself, at least someone will criticize him for a while, and he can still shirk the fact that he did not know Sun Gong's loyalty and righteousness back then, and was forced by the villain, so he made this big mistake, as long as he admits his mistake with a good attitude, then he can completely minimize the impact of this incident on his political life.

The ministers thought about it, and the crying became even more sad, and Chongzhen was infected by the crying and shed a line of tears.

"Master Sun, martyrdom is really a national warrior."

After saying this, Chongzhen said: "Spread the decree, the pillar of Sun Chengzong's country, martyred the country, as a model for the world's courtiers, so that the political envoy of the Northern Zhili, the first-level official of the governor personally helped the soul of Lord Sun, and the surviving descendants of the Sun family should be given preferential care and should not be neglected." ”

"Yes."

Wang Chengen answered on the side, and immediately brought someone to Sun Chengzong to draft a holy decree, and the holy decree was quickly drawn up, and then sent someone to announce it to the world, so as to show His Majesty's grace.

When the holy decree was issued, the crying voice of the ministers in the palace gradually lowered, and it was just a gesture, could you still cry all the time? Then you don't have to do anything else.

Chongzhen also relieved himself, and then glanced at the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs who was sitting down again and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, what is the situation with the Tartars now?" ”

Hearing this, an official immediately reported: "Your Majesty, the Tartars broke through Gaoyang, continued to go south, and then broke through Pingxiang, Nanhe, Shahe, Lincheng, and Gaoyi all the way to Shandong. ”

Hearing this, Chongzhen was furious and said: "What are the defenders everywhere doing to eat, just let the Tartars drive straight in? ”

When the official heard this, he knelt on the ground and said: "The elite of the Qing army, our defenders really can't resist it, and I ask Your Majesty to send elite soldiers to block the breach, otherwise I'm afraid the Tartars will really enter Shandong." ”

Hearing this, Chongzhen's expression became ugly, and after a long time, Chongzhen said: "I wanted Sun Aiqing to take over this important responsibility, but I didn't expect Sun Aiqing to be martyred, it's really a pain for my Ming." ”

Speaking of this, Emperor Chongzhen looked up at the Manchu Dynasty and said, "Who do you think can take on this important responsibility?" ”

As soon as Chongzhen's words came out, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty all hesitated, looked at each other, and looked embarrassed, and Xue Guoguan, the second assistant of the cabinet, came out and said: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the current court can take on this great responsibility, for two people, one is the new Liaodong governor Hong Chengchou, and the other is Lu Xiangsheng, the current governor of Xuanda who is at home. ”

Hearing this, although Chongzhen didn't speak, he agreed very much.

Originally, Sun Chengzong was a substitute for Lu Xiangsheng, and now that Sun Chengzong is dead, it is time for Lu Xiangsheng to appear on the stage, thinking of this, at this time, one person flashed out among the ministers in the audience, Chongzhen looked at it, it turned out to be Yang Sichang, Yang Sichang knelt on the ground at this time and said: "Your Majesty, Lu Xiangsheng is not available, Your Majesty thinks twice." ”

After listening to Yang Sichang's words, Chongzhen looked at Yang Sichang, and Yang Sichang reminded him of the old matter: "Your Majesty, although Lu Xiangsheng knows the soldiers, but this person is loyal to the traitor, he said that he is loyal to the Ming Dynasty, but he is friendly with Lantian Li Chaosheng, how can such a traitor be used lightly, otherwise I am afraid that the tail will not be lost." ”

Hearing this, Chongzhen hesitated, and at this moment, an adult in the audience stood up, this person was the imperial history of the court, and he was the person of Xue Guoguan, the second assistant of the cabinet.

"Your Majesty, Lu Xiang ascended to the heavens in the second year of the Jinshi, because he was unwilling to be with the eunuch party, so it has been an idle Hanlin position, until His Majesty ascended the throne, he was promoted to the head of the household department, the member of the foreign lang, the daimyo prefect, the daimyo soldier Beidao, and later was valued by His Majesty, and was promoted to the governor of Huguang, Xuanda Governor. It can be said that he was brought up by His Majesty, and His Majesty has the grace of knowing him, which is greater than heaven, and he Lu Xiang is promoted to an upright person, how can he live up to His Majesty. ”

"As for what Lord Yang said, Lu Xiangsheng and Lantian are on good terms, this is completely chasing after the wind, Lu Xiangsheng has an intersection with Lantian, but most of them are passive, Lantian is plotting to seize the Naturalization City, Lord Lu is going to attack the Tartars, and then there is no court order, he can't turn his face with Lantian, and then he went to northern Shaanxi to suppress bandits, and when he arrived in Shaanxi, who can bypass him Li Chaosheng, not to mention Lu Xiangsheng, the current Jiliao Governor Hong Chengchou, Hubei Governor Sun Chuanting, who can have no intersection with Li Chaosheng."

"If they have an intersection with Li Chaosheng, they must be disloyal to the Ming Dynasty, then I think Hong Chengchou, Sun Chuanting, and a number of officials who have dealings with Shaanxi can't be used, so it's better to be dismissed."

As soon as these words came out, the court was in an uproar, Shaanxi has not infiltrated people into the court over the years, and there are several people in the court who have been promoted from Shaanxi's political achievements, if this is the case, these people may have two hearts, this blow is too big, even Chongzhen does not dare to remove these people, otherwise the Ming Dynasty is not turbulent.

Yang Sichang heard this and looked at this imperial history and said: "Lord Wang is really clever words, although there are many people in my court who have dealings with Lantian, but they are all normal, but he Lu Xiangsheng is not normal, I think he has a problem." ”

"Please ask Lord Yang to come up with evidence that Lord Lu colluded with Lantian, and Lord Yang will slander people's innocence without evidence, how can this be done by a righteous man and a gentleman."

Yang Sichang heard this and said: "If you want evidence, okay, give me three days, and I will send someone to investigate." ”

"In three days, Lord Yang is trying to fabricate evidence to frame Lord Lu, or Lord Yang is also going to learn from the Jinyi Guards of the past?"

As soon as Yang Sichang said this, Xue Guoguan directly gave a sentence.

Yang Sichang was speechless, Chongzhen also frowned at this time, Xue Guoguan took a step forward at this time, and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, Weichen often heard that there is no suspicion in employing people, even if Lu Xiangsheng and Lantian are closer, but he is an official of the Ming Dynasty, an official promoted by His Majesty, I don't think he will betray the court, if it is only because of some rumors, some suspicions, he will abandon the pillars of the country and not use it, it is really a loss for the court, a loss for the people of the Ming Dynasty." ”

After Xue Guoguan said this, Chongzhen's expression became entangled, and Yang Sichang hurriedly said at this time: "Your Majesty, think twice, if Lu Xiangsheng has two hearts, it will be an irreparable loss to Daming and His Majesty." ”

Chongzhen is entangled, this has to be said to be Chongzhen's character shortcoming, that is, he doesn't want to believe in others, maybe he believed too much at the beginning, so now he no longer believes it.

Chongzhen was entangled for a long time, and the ministers below had been divided into three factions at this time, and they quarreled together, as for which three factions, one faction was the pro-Lu Xiangsheng faction headed by Xue Guoguan, the second assistant of the cabinet, and supported Lu Xiangsheng, as for why they supported Lu Xiangsheng, the reason was also very simple, because they had reached an offensive and defensive alliance with Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, and Lu Xiangsheng happened to be the person who Hong Chengchou supported, and he was also a member of their faction, so they had to support it.

The other faction is the Yang Party headed by Yang Sichang, who is opposed to Lu Xiangsheng being reactivated.

The last faction is the court is not clear, the people who eat melons are saved, at this time, they are looking at the noisy ministers one by one, shut up, just silently give up the C position, you like to quarrel so much, come to the middle to quarrel, get up.

Chongzhen looked at the noisy ministers below, extremely unhappy, and finally waved his hand helplessly: "Scatter the dynasty." ”

With a sound of dispersion, Chongzhen didn't care about the noisy ministers below, and walked directly to the harem, Wang Chengen immediately shouted loudly when he saw this: "Scatter the dynasty." ”

As soon as these words came out, all the ministers saw that the emperor was gone and there was no stage for the performance, so they looked at each other unconvinced, and turned to leave.

Chongzhen returned to the apse, and Queen Zhou saw that Chongzhen was in a bad mood, so she hurriedly asked the eldest princess Zhu Yujiao to leave with the crown prince Zhu Cihong, and she looked at Chongzhen at this time.

"Your Majesty, take a sip of tea."

Empress Zhou handed the tea to Chongzhen, Chongzhen took a sip of the tea, put it down and said: "The ministers of the court only care about their own flies and dogs, and they don't care about the Ming Dynasty at all, they are all a group of bastards. ”

Syllable~

The teacup was thrown on the ground at once, and when Queen Zhou saw this, she immediately waved her hand to let the little eunuch put the teacup away, and Queen Zhou said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Your Majesty is so diligent, God will bless Your Majesty." ”

"Bless me? Hehe...... Can I still believe in this destiny? ”

Chongzhen sighed, and then said: "Now the Tartars are driving straight into the Ming Dynasty, but I am helpless, and I am helpless, and I am ordered to send the general soldiers to Qin Wang, but the general soldiers in various places want food, and now there are not many rations in Beijing, and the people have eaten to barely make ends meet, and the granaries are empty, where do you let me transfer food to the general soldiers in various places." ”

"One by one, one by one, you say that God bless me, I don't believe it myself, alas, ......"

Chongzhen let out a long sigh, followed by a wry smile: "Today, the Manchu Dynasty civil and military said that I believe in Lu Xiangsheng, to be honest, I want to believe it, but what reward have the people I believed in over the years have given me, since I ascended the throne, I believe in the Donglin Party, and the bastard of the Donglin Party made me kill Wei Zhongxian and lose the political power to compete with them, resulting in the current dominance of civil officials in the imperial court." ”

"Tricked me into abolishing the commercial tax, which led to the emptiness of the treasury, and deceived me into abolishing the East Factory, the West Factory, and the Jinyi Guard, and as a result, I became blind and deaf, and now I am sitting on this Jinluan Palace, listening to their coaxing, a group of greedy dogs, I hate that I can't drag them out one by one."

Chongzhen vented his inner emotions angrily, Queen Zhou listened on the side, looking at Chongzhen like an angry lion at this time, Queen Zhou felt that Daming should still be saved, after all, His Majesty worked so hard.

At this time, Empress Zhou looked at Chongzhen and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers are deceiving you so much, why don't you reopen the commercial tax and restore the functions and powers of the East Factory, the West Factory, and the Jinyi Guard?" ”

Chongzhen heard this and looked at Queen Zhou with a wry smile: "I can't do it, I can't do it, I was deceived by this group of ministers, when I was the king of letters, I really believed the nonsense of these ministers, and I really thought that they were all for the country and the people, but when I saw their true colors one day, it was too late, I abolished all the power in my hands by myself, my current government is completely dependent on them, and now there are their people everywhere, and my holy decree will become unrecognizable when it comes out of the Forbidden City." ”

"So I can only try my best to maintain, I think that as long as the world is peaceful, Jiannu is blocked from entering the gate, and the rogues will no longer get up, give me a few more years to cultivate some henchmen, I can slowly carry out reforms, slowly restore Dongchang, Jinyiwei, and slowly raise business taxes, and then the country will have money, my wings will be full again, and I can reorganize the old rivers and mountains."

"Everything I have planned is very good, but this God, it is either a natural disaster, or the resurgence of the rogue, or the Tartar into the Kou, when will he let me live for a moment, when will I be comfortable for a moment, I am bitter in my heart!"

(End of chapter)