A few years ago, a "great purge" of the imperial court began.

Taking the impeachment of Zhang Zhou as an introduction, before the first day of the new year, on Chinese New Year's Eve alone, 18 people were imprisoned, and five more were subsequently arrested and imprisoned.

The reason is simple

Words are not true.

In the emperor's view, the Chinese courtiers of the dynasty are uniting against Zhang Zhou, since they want to fight with Zhang Zhou to the end, and those who become emperors must also fulfill them, and being imprisoned is light, and the next is a test for them.

First of all, he must endure the torture in the edict.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, the government and the opposition have basically stopped work, and on the first day of the new year, the minister will go to the palace to celebrate the Zhengdan Festival, and the emperor will also reward him, and at the same time will send his ministers to worship heaven and earth and the imperial tomb, and at the same time, he will give the minister a holiday on Zhengdan, which usually starts from ten days.

But the Spring Festival of that year came in a strange atmosphere.

Chinese New Year's Eve.

The sound of firecrackers in the capital is constant, and the fire dragon team is guarding it everywhere, after all, if there is a fire in this year, it is easy to form a fire that stretches for several miles in the city, and Liu Jian took a sedan chair, surrounded by Hu Servants, through the streets and alleys, and came to Ma Wensheng's house.

The absolute trust of the emperor is the greatest political resource.

By the end of the year, Marven was already in a state of semi-retirement.

Liu Jian untied the big gun, someone behind him took it and hung him aside, and then everyone in the room withdrew, and even the door was closed.

Liu Jian's face was gloomy.

Ma Wensheng was also puzzled, just relying on the means of resignation to threaten the emperor, did it really work?

Ma Wensheng said: "This incident alone, in fact, before these people played, they should have expected this result. His Majesty's matter of Bingkuan can be regarded as a matter of repeated orders, and later a tacit understanding was formed, unless he was really negligent, if he only participated in the impeachment of those unwarranted things, it was the same as the impeachment of the ministers in the past, how could there be any results? From the beginning of the Ming Dynasty to the present, are there still fewer traitors? ”

is probably reminding Liu Jian that Daming also had Wang Zhen and other traitors, which caused a lot of damage to Daming, not that the minister didn't want to set things right, but there was really no good way at that time.

"Bingkuan has been in the court for a few years." Ma Wensheng commented, "Speaking of which, he has indeed done a lot of things, whether he is reckless or martial, or cronyism, after all, the current court is indeed very different from the court three years ago, Your Majesty has adopted our opinions less and less, and has also set up a yamen like the upper listening office." ”

After Liu Jian arrived, someone was waiting at the gate of the mansion in advance, and then Liu Jian arrived in Ma Wensheng's study under the guidance of the lantern at the gate of Ma Wensheng's mansion.

Is the Ming Dynasty missing you?

"Resign!" Liu Jian said.

Liu Jian said: "This is not where I care. ”

"How?"

Occasionally shed a little blood, the emperor's heart softened, or it really worked, nonsense such as Zhu Houzhao, and he also wanted to go out on patrol many times during the Zhengde period, but he was blocked by the minister's kneeling, and every time he had to pay the price of blood.

Ma Wensheng said: "It has been basically written, and it can be taken to the palace early tomorrow morning." However, there are a lot of joint names, and I am afraid that I will have to wait for the morning of the next day, bring pen, ink, paper, inkstone, or let people sign on it. Is it really going to be like this? ”

When Ma Wensheng saw Liu Jian's expression, he felt that Liu Jian was going to fight Zhang Zhou to the death.

Originally, they all thought that after Ma Wensheng retired, Zhang Zhoulai would be the secretary of the ministry, but there seemed to be a side saying in front of him, either Lin Han would fill the position, or it might be someone else, but the matter of Ma Wensheng resigning and returning to his hometown at the beginning of his year was a certainty.

"Hmm." Marven said, "But have you thought about it, if it doesn't work out tomorrow, what should you do?" ”

What he didn't know was that there were not many means that Wenchen could use to coerce the emperor, either kneeling, such as the Zuo Shunmen case in the later Great Rites Discussion, or resigning like the Eight Tigers later...... They are the most customary means used by Wenchen.

Liu Jian said: "The court has a disease, and if you ignore it, it is not the work of the benevolent ministers. ”

At this time, Ma Wensheng was drafting a note.

Wenchen uses this to highlight the courtier's festival, which is also the "etiquette" that Confucianism stresses.

Liu Jian said: "Even if Your Majesty refuses to listen, we will do it, this is our duty." If it really can't be stopped, such a government and the opposition will not stay. ”

Ma Wensheng said: "Isn't this angry? Bingkuan has a lot of people around him, so he says Keqin, with him as the first assistant...... Forget it, I've listed it according to your intentions, and I'll go with me tomorrow morning, but can I make it until noon...... It's hard to say, my body is not as good as before. ”

Because Ma Wensheng knew that Liu Jian wanted the minister to kneel and admonish, and kneel until the emperor changed his mind, Ma Wensheng had to get vaccinated first.

I have already used the method of helping you write a "confession" to show my attitude with you, but if you have to ask me to kneel and kneel for so long, I can't stand it, and you better not plan for me to advance and retreat with you.

Liu Jian said: "The people's hearts are back, and there will be results tomorrow." ”

Ma Wensheng said: "You mean, this time Yu Qiao's matter, the government and the opposition are all on the side of the cabinet?" ”

Liu Jian didn't answer, but in fact, he acquiesced.

In Liu Jian's view, since there are only two yamen, the Shangting Office and the Yanwutang, to condemn Xie Qian's capital crime, the other yamen are naturally on the side of "justice", and as a synonym for "justice", this time he needs to show his status and appeal, and use his own strength to change his life against the sky.

Ma Wensheng nodded and said, "Then I can only wish you all the best tomorrow." ”

After speaking, Ma Wensheng got up and handed over the written things to Liu Jian.

Liu Jian took it in his hand and looked at it, nodded and said: "Tonight, we will divide into two groups of people, find someone to sign together, and if you can't catch up, you will wait until tomorrow to see each other." Tomorrow is a great dynasty, whether it is a civil or military minister, as long as it is on our side, all can be accepted. I don't believe that Your Majesty can avoid the voices of the government and the opposition! ”

……

……

Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng's actions seem to be confidential, but in fact, there are no secrets at all.

Li Zhang, who was the eunuch of the Admiral Dongchang, soon learned from Mu Bin what Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng were doing behind their backs, and even Li Dongyang was looking for someone to impeach Zhang Zhou before, which was superficial here in the factory guard.

"This Liu Ge Lao, who do you think you are? Can't get along with Your Majesty? Or is it hard to get along with himself? When Li Zhang heard this, he was also so anxious that he stomped his feet.

This kind of thing happened, and it didn't have much to do with him, but when he was the eunuch of the Admiral Dongchang, there were so many chaos in the court, and the emperor would definitely think that his supervision, control of public opinion, and even suppression of these people were not done well.

Li Zhang is afraid of being responsible.

Especially when he was about to leave Dongchang, he himself knew that he was about to be transferred to the northwest as a eunuch in the prison army.

Mu Bin said: "I heard that they still have to find someone to sign together, according to preliminary estimates, more than 200 officials in Beijing can sign together. Now that there is no political scholar in Beijing, if you wait for the end of this spring, there may be more people who can sign together. ”

Li Zhang shook his head and said: "I think too much, there are still few people who are willing to go with the surname Liu." ”

"Father-in-law, the person who spoke for Xie Ge Lao before, but he included the large and small yamen in the court, and it seems that no one has a different voice, if it weren't for the listening office and the Father-in-law Liu of the Admiral Yanwutang, I am afraid of this matter...... It's not settled yet. Mu Bin hurriedly reminded.

Li Zhang said: "Can that be the same?" Among the yamen, there were many people who thought that Xie Yuqiao was extremely evil, but he just wanted to give affection, and he couldn't go against the mainstream meaning of the yamen. But right now, it's for this matter to come forward and confront His Majesty, do you think those ministers who have ideas will be swayed by the cabinet? ”

"What do you mean...... Not so many co-branded? Tomorrow ......" Mu Bin was also a little skeptical.

In addition to Li Zhang, he will also be responsible.

is worried that his position is not guaranteed, and he also has Mu Bin, and now Dongchang and Jinyiwei are about to be reshuffled.

Li Zhang sneered: "As far as our family knows, there are a large number of people in the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of Punishment alone, and there are a large number of people who will not be attached to the cabinet, as for the impeachment of Cai Guogong, it is even more out of nowhere, what kind of party is selfish, since it is said that Cai Guogong is nepotism, then it is necessary to show evidence that he is close to these people and estranged from others, many people have not had any contact with Cai Guogong before, after his career, who have you seen run to see him when he is fine?" ”

"This ...... Not really. Mu Bin thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"Isn't that it?" Li Zhang said, "From Xinjian Bo, to Wang Qiong, Lu Wan, and even Tang Yin, the so-called Cai Guogongmen, how many chances do they have to meet?" It is that An Bianhou and Cai Guogong often meet, but have you seen how Cai Guogong entrusted An Bianhou with important tasks? Is it because of proximity that Anbianhou was promoted? ”

Mu Bin said: "Anbianhou is indeed talented, in the battle of Jizhou, as a deputy marshal, he can also assist the Marquis of Jingshan." And the Marquis of Jingshan and others are not the descendants of Cai Guogong, they are more chosen by His Majesty. ”

Li Zhang said disdainfully: "Isn't that it?" The people in the government and the opposition are now only responsible to His Majesty, when will they say that they will have anything to say about Cai Guogong? Dongchang and Jinyiwei are also strictly investigated, and they have never seen them have private correspondence, and now they can be classified as Cai Guogong's party, except for an An Bianhou and a reluctant Tang Yin, I really can't find a third one. However, among the Jinyi Guards, there are a few people who were sent by His Majesty to do things for Cai Guogong, which can be regarded as close, but these people are only responsible for Cai Guogong? ”

"By no means." Mu Bin hurriedly explained, "Jinyiwei is also acting at the emperor's orders. ”

"Mu Bin, you are very cool-headed, and you should understand, in fact, this group of Wenchen didn't think of this, it's just that their eyes were blinded by the hatred in their hearts, they are not as good as others, and they have made too little contributions in the government and the opposition, so that they can't gain His Majesty's trust, they will naturally be angry with that Cai Guogong, thinking that Cai Guogong is opportunistic in everything he does. But when we discerning people look at it, we know that those people can't eat grapes and say that grapes are sour, and they are all red-eyed. ”

Li Zhang attacked Wenchen.

Mu Bin hurriedly reminded: "Father-in-law, if there is really trouble tomorrow, it will not be good." In addition to the royal palaces from all over the country to pay tribute, there are also some envoys from Fanbang and small countries, if they also see ......"

Li Zhang said: "Our family will immediately go to see Your Majesty and let Your Majesty know, but if it is really not possible, we will cancel tomorrow's court meeting." Your Majesty has been recuperating for months, why should you listen to their congratulatory messages at this time? What is there to congratulate? Take advantage of the time to assemble, and come to find trouble? ”

Mu Bin hurriedly said: "Then you have to go earlier, I'm afraid that this will have to enter the palace, and it will not be easy." ”

"We know what to expect." Li Zhang said, "You immediately bring our family's message to some people's houses and tell them that if they dare to make trouble tomorrow, don't blame us for being ruthless." ”

"To whom?" Mu Bin was stunned.

The scope of what Li Zhang said was a bit broad, and he didn't even know who to go to.

Li Zhang sneered: "You just see who they want to contact, you go to whomever you want!" Tomorrow you can send someone to block the road, and whoever wants to go to the palace gate, you can stop whom! As long as the gate of the palace is peaceful tomorrow, won't everything be calm? ”

"Yes, yes." Mu Bin also became nervous, and hurriedly said, "Then let's go." ”

……

……

Li Zhang hurriedly entered the palace.

When he entered the palace, he learned that the emperor had not slept yet, so he was exempted from the sin of disturbing the emperor's rest, and then Chen Kuan called him to the front of the Xinuan Pavilion Palace, and reminded him softly: "Maybe what you want to play, Your Majesty already knows, and Your Majesty has done some responses." ”

Li Zhang said: "Your Majesty already knows about the troubles of the ministers tomorrow?" ”

Chen Kuan said: "Do you think that only Dongchang can bring news to the palace?" Some people are too ostentatious, and when they were looking for someone to impeach Cai Guogong, His Majesty turned a blind eye, but now it seems that they have to make a big deal out of it. ”

"That ......"

"You go in with us." Chen Kuan said, "Remember, what our family says, you just listen to it." Your Majesty asks you to answer again. ”

"Yes."

Li Zhang cautiously followed Chen Kuan to the Xinuan Pavilion.

Zhu Youzhu sat on the ground, but he was not reading the recital, but reading a booklet, which seemed to be very interesting, because the emperor would also have a smile on his face, which was a kind of eunuch who felt that he had not been done for a long time...... The Emperor's laughter.

"Your Majesty, Li Zhang is here." Chen Kuan walked over to remind.

Zhu Youzhu didn't raise his head, just waved his hand: "Wait." ”

Obviously, the emperor had not yet come out of the fun of the booklet, and after waiting for a long time, Zhu Youzhu finally put the booklet down before looking up at Li Zhang.

"How is Dongchang going to respond?" Zhu Youzhu asked.

Li Zhang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Elder Liu Ge met Elder Li Ge first, and then met with Ma Shangshu of the Ministry of Officials, and then prepared to let people mobilize the ministers of the court, so that they would have excessive actions in front of the palace gate when they congratulated them tomorrow. As the slaves and maids see, they should not be allowed to enter the palace tomorrow to congratulate. ”

"The rules of the past years, do you just break it?" Zhu Youzhu asked.

Li Zhang said: "This ......"

Zhu Youzhu said: "In this way, tomorrow's things will not change, and everything that should come will come." But if you have to take this matter tomorrow and make me unhappy, don't blame me for making them unhappy in the coming year. That's all...... Everyone brings. If they change their minds, they will go back and wait for the ten days of Zhengdan to pass, and everything will be said at the court meeting, and if anyone really can't bear it, they will go to the gate of the Palace of Tomorrow to say it...... It's up to them! I don't believe it, this reason is not straight! (End of chapter)