On the first and fifteenth day of each month, there are regular court meetings, usually held in Qianqing Palace.

When a court meeting is held in Fengtian Hall, something big usually happens, such as the emperor's accession to the throne, or some kind of major ceremony.

Just when everyone was immersed in discussing the Baoen Temple garden project, they ignored the Jiang Bin case and the need to repay the money borrowed by the Ministry of Revenue.

But on the seventeenth day of the winter lunar month, I suddenly learned that a court meeting was going to be held at Fengtian Hall.

Moreover, the attendees include all officials in Beijing, as well as princes and nobles with titles in Beijing, and even officials from other places who are on official business in Beijing, must also be present.

This unprecedented scale made everyone aware that something major was about to happen, but they didn't know what it would be, and they immediately became nervous.

But this tension has no reason.

Because what Jiajing has done since he came to the throne can be summed up in only two things.

One is the fight with Queen Mother Zhang for control of Daming, a "listed company", and the other is a series of measures taken in response to Daming's current tight financial situation.

After half a year of contact, this young emperor neither made drastic reforms to the original bureaucracy like other emperors in history, nor did he clear out the eunuchs in the harem and replace them with his cronies.

Moreover, in previous court meetings, Jiajing's approachable smile, and the emperor's benevolent attitude regarding Jiang Bin's case that Lin Jun spread, gave everyone an illusion.

It seems that Jiajing is not a descendant of the founder Zhu Di, but more like a descendant of the legendary benevolent prince Zhu Biao.

But they selectively forgot that whether it was Zhu Di or Zhu Biao, their father Zhu Yuanzhang was never an emperor full of benevolence and righteousness.

Only Lin Jun, the Minister of Punishment, knew that at this court meeting, Jiajing would sacrifice his butcher knife for the first time, showing the world his powerful side as an emperor.

Above the court hall.

Hundreds of officials were standing under the eaves of the main hall and outside. Everyone kept silent and bowed their heads, quietly waiting for the emperor's arrival.

Jiajing finally appeared in front of the throne. He still looked like that kind smile, which temporarily relieved everyone's nervousness.

"It will be the first day of the year soon. This year has not been easy for me, nor has it been easy for you all!"

"There are still forty-three days, which is the first year of Jiajing. Things in the past should stay in the past, and things in the future should also have a good start."

Jiajing's ministers had just gotten used to the somewhat blank-sounding opening remarks. When they had become accustomed to this kind of opening, they felt that it still sounded more cordial, and this cordial opening further eased their nervousness. .

"When I was in Prince Xing's Mansion in the past, I summarized the four major malpractices of the Zhengde Dynasty: eunuchs were monopolistic and extravagant, and vassal kings rebelled and favored traitors. As for the eunuchs, Liu Jin, the leader of the Eight Tigers, has already been punished, and Prince Ning's rebellion has also been delayed. It’s settled. Today I want to talk about two things. One is how to solve the financial situation after being squandered by Emperor Zhengde, and the other is the issue to what extent the traitors favored by Emperor Zhengde should be eliminated."

After Jiajing finished his opening remarks, he slowly came to the throne, sat down and scanned the ministers in the hall.

"Come in, everyone. You don't have to stand like this today. You can squeeze in as many as you can!"

"Call the ministers into the palace to discuss matters!" Bao Zhong shouted at the top of his lungs, and someone outside spread the voice.

The entire hall was crowded with one or two hundred people, and it was packed to the brim. Even so, there were still some people outside who didn't squeeze in.

Snapped!

Jiajing threw out a roll of brocade silk and threw it on the imperial case.

"The result of Jiang Bin's case has come out. You people are more or less involved with Jiang Bin. It can also be said that if it weren't for your connivance and flattery, Jiang Bin would not have bullied the government and the public for many years and deceived the emperor's brother.

for many years!"

"On that day when Jiang Bin was so arrogant and domineering, did any of you stand up and make a case for impeachment? Who was willing to cut himself off to get rid of the sycophants on his side?

The righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period does not exist. It can be said that even if you people are killed out of nine out of ten, there will still be fish that slip through the net!"

Everyone bowed their heads in shame, not daring to look directly into Jiajing's eyes. Only Lin Jun and Yang Tinghe, as well as Wang Shouren and Yang Yiqing, who had just arrived in Beijing less than six hours ago, still had their backs straight in front.

Although there were some Zhang Cong and others who were able to avoid being implicated in the imperial exams in the 16th year of Zhengde's reign, they were forced to bury their heads deeply due to the imperial power exuded by Jiajing.

Jiajing glanced at Zhang Cong and realized that now was not the time to deal with him.

This person has some abilities, but he is too independent. As long as he has some emotional intelligence like Zhang Juzheng, his achievements will not be inferior to Zhang Juzheng. We must arrange a suitable place for him. Now let him stay in the cabinet and learn.

There was silence for a long time. Jiajing deliberately created this depressing and breathless atmosphere.

It is in this tense atmosphere that the people below can deeply analyze their own hearts and think about what they have done in the past and what they should do in the future.

Yes, that's what Kangxi said in the Kangxi Dynasty. You all have a high-sounding appearance, but are you that clean? Take your heart, lungs, and intestines out, wash them, dry them in the sun, and tidy them up!

And this kind of silence allows them to reflect more thoroughly than telling them directly.

I don’t know how long it took, but it wasn’t until Jiajing heard someone sobbing softly that he felt that it was almost done. This was someone who reflected and understood.

Only then did Bao Zhong bring over a copper basin and, in front of everyone, burn the brocade scroll that was rolled out to a length of more than ten meters.

"I will not pursue the past affairs. I will watch your future affairs. Everyone has the Great Ming Law in their hands, right? If anyone hasn't told me, I will personally give him a copy! If anyone returns it in the future,

If you don’t know how to restrain yourself and don’t know how to repent, the Jiang Bin you are today will be you tomorrow!”

Bao Zhong immediately stepped forward and read out the imperial edict in front of everyone.

"Jiang Bin was originally the commander of Jianshi in Bian Bianzhen... After investigation by the Ministry of Punishment, the evidence of the crime was conclusive. The main culprits were Jiang Bin, Shenzhou, Li Cong, and Jiang Bin Zixun, Jie, Jiao, Xi and other sixteen people. Their crimes are inexcusable.

Punishment should be carried out according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty! All ministers should take this as a warning and be alert at all times. I admire this!"

As soon as the edict was read out, more than twenty people in the main hall fainted.

These people were all very close to Jiang Bin that day, especially Bian Anbo and Xu Tai, who fainted and died before the imperial edict was read out.

Although many others did not faint, their legs were shaking and they managed to hold on without falling.

They feel like they have walked through the door of hell, and now their life is in vain.

Surprisingly, Jiajing said that he would resolve two issues today, but he only resolved Jiang Bin's case and then left the court without mentioning finances at all.

What's strange is that today they were given special instructions to leave through Xihua Gate. Xihua Gate is usually only used during celebrations.

Could it be that the emperor was telling them to celebrate their resurrection from death?

After the retired ministers walked out of Fengtian Hall, they all felt as happy as if they were celebrating the New Year. Especially those who had been given the list a while ago, all looked at Lin Jun gratefully, thanking him for pointing out a clear path.

Just when those officials were celebrating and walking towards Xihua Gate happily.

However, they found that the front of Xihua Gate had already been blocked by people. No one came to see Jiang Bin being tortured. Almost all of them came here.

Is there anything more worth seeing here than Lingchi?

[Author's digression]: I haven't slept for three days and three nights, always thinking about something to say to everyone, but my words must have a beginning. After thinking about it, I only have four words:
Chapter completed!