It must be said that this sudden change was indeed beyond the expectations of many people. Even those who secretly spread rumors felt that things were somewhat out of control.
After all, according to what they had thought in advance, after they had mobilized enough scholars, they would have all the scholars gather in front of the palace gate tomorrow, and then petition the emperor together, asking him to depose the tax reform and severely punish Li Huan.
But it was obvious that the matter was beyond their control. Those scholars who were stimulated and lost their minds could not wait until the next morning to go to the imperial city. On a whim, no one knew who shouted that, and as a result, everyone
People rushed to the imperial city.
Such changes even surprised the Jin Yiwei and Dongchang spies who were secretly monitoring these scholars.
These Jin Yiwei and Dongchang spies had the most sensitive sense of smell. When they noticed that things were out of control, they instinctively sensed that something was wrong and immediately passed the news back to the Yamen.
Jinyiwei Yamen
With Li Huan entering the palace, Chen Ke was almost in charge of the Jinyiwei Yamen.
Chen Ke looked at the panting and panic-stricken officer in front of him and frowned: "What happened? You are so panicked?"
The little flag officer couldn't help but said: "Sir, something bad has happened. Those... those scholars left the Imperial College one by one and ran towards the imperial city, clamoring for the emperor to give them an explanation. If they don't get rid of the commander,
They will never agree to your words."
With a bang, Chen Ke slapped his hand on the table, his face became extremely gloomy and said: "What did you say? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on those people in the Imperial College? Why is there still such a mess?
?”
Unable to prevent Chen Ke from getting angry, the Jin Yiwei people had already infiltrated into the Imperial College. It could be said that they were very familiar with the movements of the scholars in the Imperial College.
It was good now that the little flag officer suddenly came over and told him that the scholars in the Imperial College had lost control.
As a senior official of Jinyiwei, the last thing an official like Chen Ke wants to see is a situation where everything is out of control, but after all, Chen Ke is also someone who has experienced big scenes and seen big battles.
He thought that he had experienced big battles such as the rebel army's night attack on the imperial city. Now a group of scholars trying to go to the imperial city to petition the emperor would not cause Chen Ke to lose his position.
The little flag officer couldn't help but look at Chen Kedao and said, "Sir, would you like to send someone to disperse all these scholars?"
Hearing this, Chen Ke hesitated for a moment and then shook his head: "He had already made suggestions to Li Huan before and sent people to stop the gathering of scholars, but Li Huan rejected it. Although he said that things were a little out of control at the moment, but
Overall it didn't exceed expectations.
So Chen Ke shook his head at the little flag officer and said: "No need for the moment, but we will immediately mobilize elite troops and go to the vicinity of the imperial city to obey orders at any time."
As the headquarters of the Jinyiwei, after Li Huan's reorganization, the strength of the Jinyiwei today cannot be underestimated. In this capital, hundreds of elite troops can be easily mobilized.
With such a force at hand, unless a large army enters the city, it can handle everything.
Imperial City
Li Huan and the emperor discussed carefully the problems they might encounter after dawn. The emperor and his ministers had a plan to deal with it, and their faces showed a relaxed look.
Seeing that the sky outside was completely dark, Zhu Houzhao said loudly: "Come here, take Li Qing to the side hall to rest."
Li Huan originally wanted to get up and refuse. After all, as a foreign minister, it would obviously not be appropriate to stay overnight in the imperial city.
But before Li Huan refused, Zhu Houzhao laughed and said: "There will be a big show tomorrow morning, so Li Qing shouldn't run back and forth. After all, the palace door is locked now, and Li Qing has to bother guarding the door if he wants to go out."
Officials reopen the palace gates."
Li Huan thought about it but didn't insist. As Zhu Houzhao said, it was really inappropriate to leave the palace at this time and just stay in the imperial city overnight. Anyway, this was not the first time.
Just when the monarch and his ministers were preparing to go to rest, a large number of scholars had gathered in front of the palace gate.
These scholars rushed all the way from the Imperial College to the Imperial City, as if they had been given a shot of chicken blood. At this time, they looked at the high and tightly closed palace gate and the guards in front of the palace gate, who were staring at them like fierce gods.
The imperial guards immediately didn't know how to react.
Thousands of scholars rushed towards the imperial city in a mighty manner. It was impossible for such a big movement not to be noticed by the imperial army guarding the imperial city. These imperial troops had already gathered in front of the imperial city and were waiting before the soldiers arrived, so
It is said that when these scholars arrived, what they saw was the scene of the imperial guards in full formation.
The general on duty at the head had a cold face at this moment, and shouted in a deep voice to the scholars in front of the palace gate: "Bold, do you know that this is an important place in the imperial city, and you have gathered so many people here, is it possible?"
If you want to attack the imperial city, will you be able to rebel?"
I have to say that this general is somewhat knowledgeable. Although he can't tell what the purpose of these scholars gathering together in front of the imperial city is, one thing he does know is that many of these people are following the crowd.
If someone wants to rebel, his words can also divide people's hearts.
Following the general's angry rebuke, the originally enthusiastic scholars now calmed down a bit. They looked at the Imperial Guards holding weapons in front of the palace gate, almost as if they were conditioned reflexes.
Everyone took a few steps back.
But soon someone reacted, and one of the leaders boldly stepped forward and said to the general: "This general, we are the soldiers of the Imperial College, not some rebels intending to rebel."
The general had received the news in advance, and when he looked at the group of people in green shirts in front of him who looked like scholars, he felt somewhat relieved.
They are just a bunch of powerless scholars. If they are not just thieves, but they are real thieves, then he is really not afraid.
With a slight cough, the general glanced at everyone coldly and said: "Since you are my Ming Dynasty scholars, why did you come to the imperial city in the middle of the night? If so many people are disturbed by the Holy Master, do you know your guilt?"
A young scholar couldn't help but said: "We are here to petition His Majesty, what crime are we guilty of?"
After giving the scholar a faint look, the general guarding the gate sneered and said: "How dare you, Your Majesty is not something that any of you can see if you want to see him. Listen to my general's advice and disperse as soon as possible. Otherwise, if your words alarm Tian Ting,
, you will definitely not be able to escape your guilt."
There was a look of fear on the face of some scholar, and he subconsciously looked at his companions around him.
Among the crowd, Lin Yuan was positioned very close to the front. After hearing the words of the gatekeeper general, he immediately said: "We are extremely loyal to Your Majesty. We only came here to state our views to Your Majesty. Your Majesty has not rejected us yet, so what do you have to say?"
If our rights are blocking us, could you be just like the traitor Li Huan, trying to deceive Tian Ting!"
It must be said that Lin Yuan's words were extremely vicious. If the general dared to obstruct him, he would be directly beaten into Li Huan's accomplice and became Li Huan's pawn to deceive the emperor.
The general was not stupid. He reacted immediately, but after he reacted, his face became extremely gloomy. He glanced at Lin Yuan coldly and said: "What a sharp-tongued person. I don't care what you are here to do, but it is my duty."
We are protecting the palace, if you dare to take a step forward without permission, then don’t blame me for being rude."
As he was speaking, the general suddenly drew his sword out of its sheath, and there was a loud clatter of long swords coming out of their sheaths. The guards behind the general also pulled out their long swords and stared fiercely at the people in front of them.
A group of scholars.
A strong evil aura rushed towards his face, causing many of the soldiers in front of him to retreat in shock.
With a stabbing sound, the general slashed a long scratch on the ground with his sword, stared at the soldiers and sneered: "Anyone who dares to cross this line will be killed without mercy."
One after another, their eyes were fixed on the general and the gleaming sword light behind him. Many people swallowed subconsciously, with a bit of fear in their hearts. Even the previous shouting and noise suddenly stopped at this moment.
And stop.
Suddenly, under the shock of the hundreds of imperial guards, no one of the thousands of soldiers dared to say a word.
After a while, someone said: "If you don't cross the line, you won't cross the line. Let's sit quietly in front of the palace gate today and wait for His Majesty to come and listen to our wishes."
As soon as this statement came out, many scholars immediately echoed loudly.
"Yes, yes, we can sit quietly in front of the palace gate as long as we don't cross the line. I don't believe His Majesty can ignore us."
"Everyone choose a place to sit down. From now on, we will sit here silently until His Majesty is willing to come and listen to our wishes."
Someone shouted to the scholars in the crowd.
It was obvious that these words had won the approval of many people, as the crowds of people were seen, and the ground was soon filled with many scholars who were rushing all the way.
Fortunately, the entrance to the imperial city was spacious enough. If it were a narrow place, it would not be easy to accommodate so many scholars at once.
Seeing these scholars sitting there honestly, the general breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, a sharp voice came from the palace gate behind him and said: "General Zuo, what happened to these people? They
...They won’t force their way into the imperial city.”
Zuo Yang was the general from before. Hearing the voice inside the palace gate, Zuo Yang immediately straightened his expression and said: "Superintendent Hong, in Zuo's opinion, these people should not attack the imperial city for the time being. However, for such a big matter, we must deal with it immediately."
I will tell Your Majesty how to deal with it in the end, and I will ask Your Majesty to judge it."
Eunuch Hong inside the palace gate looked relieved when he heard this and said: "As long as nothing happens, as long as nothing happens, everything is in order, General Zuo. Our family will go to your majesty Tongbing."
Qianqing Palace
With a pop, Li Huan and Zhu Houzhao, who were about to leave, clearly heard the sound of someone falling to the ground from outside.
Mixed with the groans and scoldings of Qiu Ju and Gao Feng, Zhu Houzhao frowned and said outside the hall: "What's the fuss about?"
The sound outside suddenly stopped, and then a voice was heard saying: "Your Majesty, Superintendent Hong who is guarding the door said that he has something to see your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao was just stunned for a moment and said: "Let him come in."
Soon I saw the rather embarrassed Superintendent Hong entering the palace. He immediately prostrated himself on the ground and said to the Emperor: "I have seen His Majesty and disturbed Your Majesty. I deserve death."
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Superintendent Hong lightly and said, "You are not guarding the palace gate. Now you come to see me. Could it be that something happened at the palace gate?"
Superintendent Hong quickly told everything that happened at the palace gate. Although there was a palace wall, this was not a problem for Superintendent Hong. He could be said to have witnessed with his own eyes those scholars who were guarding the imperial city. How the city guard general Zuo Yang passed by in shock.
Listening to Superintendent Hong's story, Zhu Houzhao's expression changed. When he heard that the scholars did not make a fuss but sat quietly in front of the palace gate under the shock of Zuo Yang and the imperial guards, the corners of Zhu Houzhao's mouth changed. Showing a hint of disdain.
You must know that when Li Huan was discussing with him how to deal with these scholars, Zhu Houzhao was still a little worried that those scholars would make a fuss and even attack the imperial city.
However, Li Huan expressed his conviction that those scholars in the Imperial College would never cause trouble.
If he had only some doubts before, now everything is as Li Huan said.
Zhu Houzhao even clearly remembered the deep disdain in Li Huan's words when he mentioned those scholars. At this moment, Zhu Houzhao understood why Li Huan looked down on those scholars so much and firmly believed in them. We can't afford any more trouble.
Superintendent Hong, who was lying on the ground, said tremblingly: "Your Majesty, those scholars are sitting quietly outside the palace gate at the moment. They say that if Your Majesty does not listen to their wishes, they will never get up and leave."
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, a cold look flashed in his eyes, he raised his head and smiled at Li Huan beside him, "What do Li Qing think?"
Li Huan chuckled and said, "Your Majesty has made his own decision, so there is no need to ask my ministers!"
Zhu Houzhao stretched out and shouted to Gao Feng and Qiu Ju who were guarding the door: "What are you doing in a daze? Don't you see that I'm sleepy!"
Gao Feng, Qiu Ju and others who were guarding the door clearly heard what Superintendent Hong said. When they learned that thousands of Imperial Examiners had gathered outside the palace gate at this moment, they all felt anxious. Got up.
When I thought that the emperor would order the mobilization of troops to disperse these people, I saw that the emperor looked unconcerned and even wanted to take a rest.
For a moment, Gao Feng, Qiu Ju and others were stunned.
When the Emperor passed in front of them, several people just came to their senses and surrounded the Emperor towards the apse and the palace.
The two chamberlains stayed behind and subconsciously said to Li Huan: "Marquis Champion, I didn't know you..."
Li Huan smiled slightly and said, "Take me to have a rest!"
Only then did Eunuch Hong, who was kneeling on the ground, react. Seeing that the emperor had gone to rest without any instructions, Eunuch Hong was dumbfounded for a moment.
Seeing that Li Huan was about to leave again, Superintendent Hong immediately bowed to Li Huan and said: "champion lord, champion lord, what do you mean by this? Why can't you understand? Those scholars outside the palace gate
How to deal with it..."
Li Huan paused, glanced at Superintendent Hong lightly and said, "Your Majesty has his own ideas about those scholars. You just need to do your duty and guard the palace gates for His Majesty."