As soon as the Ministry of Rites Shangshu's words fell, the military general Chaoban suddenly exploded, and many senior officers didn't know what was going on, and couldn't help but shout one after another.

Mi Pei, the general of the town army, was short-tempered, frowned and shouted, "What's the matter? Why let the two mothers leave? ”

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu hurriedly raised his hands to silence the generals, and at the same time explained to several important military ministers: "Everyone, Concubine Shufei Hui's withdrawal from the election is the meaning of the two mothers, if you don't believe it, you can ask Lord Feng." ”

Feng Xiang, the Qing of Zongzheng Temple, arched his hand and said, "That's true. Yesterday, Zongzheng Temple successively received the imperial posts from Shangyang Palace and Yixiang Palace. Concubine Shuniang said that she was born in a commoner, and she was already content to be favored by the emperor, and she didn't dare to hope for the phoenix throne anymore; Concubine Hui said that she was born in a family of merchants and had a humble status, and it was an honor to be named the imperial concubine, and her father Murong Shengshi had just been killed not long ago, so she decided to quit. ”

Hearing this, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty couldn't help but look at each other.

The reasons given by the two imperial concubines seem to be very reasonable, but in fact they are not.

Ma Yunfang's biological father fought in the army and sacrificed his life for the country in his early years, she is equivalent to a meritorious hero, coupled with Ma Hongjie's relationship, she can't be regarded as a civilian.

As for Murong Ling, although Shengtang has always valued agriculture and suppressed business, her family has long been out of the concept of ordinary businessmen, not only is she rich enough to rival the country, but also the taxes and donations to the country paid every year are astronomical, and no one will regard her as a humble background.

As for the death of my father, it is even more nonsense. Now it's just a matter of choosing a queen, and it's not about to hold a big wedding ceremony right away, so there's no need to keep filial piety and avoid it.

However, since Zongzheng Temple said that this was what Niangniang herself meant, then no one else could say anything. Everyone speculated in their hearts that Concubine Shuhui's withdrawal was likely to be related to Ma Hongjie and Murong Xue behind them.

Could it be...... Someone forced them to give up?

Li Jiangyao originally didn't plan to participate in this kind of boring court battle, but when he saw Wei Zixuan's smug smile on his face, he suddenly felt very unhappy in his heart, so he decided to make trouble for this public discussion on the election of the queen.

He coughed lightly and said aloud, "I think there's something wrong with that." ”

As soon as these words came out, the civil and military officials in the court turned their heads one after another and set their eyes on Li Jiangyao.

"Hey, it's Dadu Hu, Li Dadu Hu is talking."

"It's terrible, it's terrible, I'm afraid it's going to be a good show."

"Brother Nian, this Li Jiangyao is a leading figure in the military, which shows that the military is very dissatisfied with this."

"Who's to say it isn't? Murong Xue is his sworn brother, and I heard that Ma Hongjie has a good relationship with him, and Li Daduhu obviously wants to stand up for those two families. ”

"Lord Lu, who do you say he is aiming at? There has to be a goal, right? ”

"Lord Yang, be quiet. Can't you see that? It must be for the left. ”

The officials whispered as they looked at the dignitaries standing at the front of the main hall, waiting to see how they would react.

The Ministry of Rites was stunned for a moment, then hesitated and asked, "What advice does General Li have?" ”

Li Jiangyao smiled and said unhurriedly: "At the beginning, my lord, you preached the rules of public discussion and listed several withdrawal criteria, which didn't seem to have been said, how to deal with it if you voluntarily give up, right?" ”

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu was slightly stunned, first turned his head to look at Wei Zixuan, and then said, "Take the initiative to give up...... Isn't that equivalent to automatic withdrawal? ”

"It's child's play." Li Jiangyao pouted: "Not to mention whether Concubine Shu Hui really wants to retreat, even if they are willing, as the emperor's concubine, they themselves have the qualifications to be made the queen by His Majesty." This decision is made by the emperor, not by the two of them, let alone by you. Unless someone thinks that the two mothers and their relatives have violated the post-election rules and are not worthy of the election, they are ...... Who dares to retreat? ”

His words immediately won the support of the generals, and many people echoed loudly, saying that most of them were reasonable.

Li Jiangyao smiled faintly and asked again, "Lord Shangshu, has there been such a precedent before?" How was it done? ”

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu shook his head embarrassedly: "Uh...... Since the founding of the Shengtang Dynasty, there have not been many cases of the emperor ascending the throne first and then establishing it, and the records of the Ministry of Rites are ...... It's true that no candidate has ever voluntarily withdrawn. ”

Originally, it was a very glorious thing to be able to participate in the election of the queen, if the luck was better, and the emperor really took a fancy to it, he would be able to ascend to the supreme position immediately.

With such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, what fool would take the initiative to quit?

"Since there is no precedent, then you must be too bold." Li Jiangyao teased: "Make the decision without authorization, set a precedent, and easily decide the major post-election matters related to the emperor and the Shengtang Sheji. Tsk tsk, I'm afraid I'm tired of being an official, and I want to change my way of living, right? ”

The Ministry of Rites was sweating profusely by him, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

Li Jiangyao's words can be light or serious. To put it mildly, the Ministry of Rites Shangshu made decisions without the imperial court rules and regulations to refer to and follow, and was suspected of recklessness and dereliction of duty; To put it more seriously, it is that Lord Shangshu is trying to interfere in post-election affairs and harbor the intention of chaotic government.

I'm obedient, this will be copied all over the house!

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu was stunned instantly, he hesitated, and hurriedly said: "Most of the guards reminded him very right, and Fang is the next official who is sloppy." It stands to reason that Shu ......"

Who knows, before he finished speaking, Yin Chengyi suddenly snorted coldly: "Joke! There was no precedent before, so now we can't make a decision? Then the whole world is full of uncertain things! Lord Shangshu, you don't want to be disturbed by others. Since the two concubines and concubines put forward that they are unwilling to hope for the queen's throne, why should we be strong? If you insist on continuing to recommend, isn't it against the will of the imperial concubine and committing the following crimes? ”

Speaking from the Metropolitan Governor of the Second Grade, what he said was also quite imposing and reasonable, which suddenly made the Ministry of Rites Shangshu feel overwhelmed.

Metropolitan Protector and Metropolitan Governor, which side should I offend?

Yin Chengyi's reaction made Li Jiangyao even more convinced that Ma Yunfang and Murong Ling's sudden withdrawal must be behind Wei Zixuan's gang. Either the two imperial concubines were coerced in some way, or Ma Hongjie and Murong Xue got some kind of hint, in short, they were asked to make way for Cheng Wen.

Li Jiangyao is not afraid that Cheng Wen will become the queen, what he really does to himself, he just doesn't want to see Wei Zixuan and others succeed in their treacherous schemes.

Regardless of his three-seven-twenty-one, let's mess up the good deeds of these bad seeds first!

Thinking of this, Li Jiangyao smiled loudly and said to Yin Chengyi: "Governor, did you know that the two ladies were going to quit before?" Or did you read the imperial post they sent to Soshoji Temple in advance? ”

Yin Chengyi denied with a little vigilance: "Of course not!" ”

"Since you don't, why are you so sure that you insist that after continuing to nominate Concubine Shu and Concubine Hui to participate in the election, it will be difficult for a strong man to commit the following crimes?" Li Jiangyao asked for a long time.

Yin Chengyi sensed that there was a trap in the other party's words, and responded cautiously: "According to what you mean, this matter is nothing?" Or do you suspect that the two imperial concubines are telling lies to the court? ”

Li Jiangyao smiled faintly: "I didn't mean that." But...... I'm curious, does the emperor know about this? Master Feng of Zongzheng Temple, have you told Your Majesty what Niangniang thinks? ”

Feng Xiang was obviously much calmer than Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, he bowed his hand slightly, and replied: "General Li, Zongzheng Temple is responsible for handling all kinds of affairs of the imperial family, the clan and relatives, and often receives imperial posts from the harem or the imperial family, and not everything has to disturb Your Majesty. ”

Li Jiangyao showed an expression of "I knew you would say that", and said with a smile: "Guess what, if Your Majesty knew, how would he be judged?" ”

Feng Xiang replied unhurriedly: "The Divine Will of the Son of Heaven, how dare the lower officials speculate? But according to common sense, His Majesty should fulfill the wishes of the two mothers. The imperial concubine is polite and humble and does not compete for the position of queen, which is a good story in itself, isn't it? ”

"What a good story of courtesy and humility, Mingde!" Li Jiangyao suddenly sneered: "There is one more fanatic who dares to make decisions for the emperor!" ”

Feng Xiang was stunned by his scolding, and couldn't help but have an angry look on his face, and said angrily: "Why did General Li say this?!" Although the lower official is one level lower than you, he is also a dignified Zongzheng Siqing, how can you slander and insult in public? ”

Li Jiangyao laughed loudly: "Okay, if you don't know the sin, I will teach you." Forty-eight candidates were recommended by the royal family and officials above the second rank and submitted to the Ministry of Rites. Then the Ministry of Rites sent a letter to the provinces to be elected, asking them to prepare for the court's deliberations, right? ”

"Right? What's wrong? Feng Xiang replied with a stiff neck.

Li Jiangyao smiled: "I heard that after receiving the letter from the Ministry of Rites, all the prefectures must have a letter of thanks, expressing their willingness to accept the emperor's selection, right?" ”

Feng Xiang glanced at the Ministry of Rites, nodded and said, "This is the rule, everyone knows it." ”

"Well, let me ask you, who wrote the replies from the prefectures? Or whose name is it? Li Jiangyao asked.

Feng Xiang replied without hesitation: "According to the Holy Sect Taoism, if your father is alive, your father will reply to the letter; If the father is not alive, the elder brother shall reply to the letter; If there is no elder brother, the elder of the clan will reply to the letter on his behalf. ”

Li Jiangyao looked at Feng Xiang like a fool and asked the last question that killed him: "So, where did the official letter of the two imperial concubines go?" Who wrote the reply? ”

Hearing this, Feng Xiang was stunned on the spot as if he had been beaten up.

It was only at this time that he reacted: Ma Yunfang and Murong Ling are imperial concubines, and according to the rules of the Holy Sect, the ones who can make decisions for them now are no longer the fathers, brothers and elders of the family. It's not Ma Hongjie, it's not Murong Xue, it's not Murong Qianqiu, it's their husband, Emperor Li Bing!

At home from the father, in marriage from the husband, and after the death of the husband from the son.

All the ministers, including Wei Zixuan, had previously ignored this obvious but not very noticeable common sense.