Zhu Biao is the Crown Prince of the Supervisory State and will not be in the palace for the entire day. The Prime Minister and the Six Ministers are here to pay their respects, so they are already prepared to respond to the Crown Prince's inquiries.
Just when the prince was emphasizing the key tasks of the court to the six ministries as usual, the voice of appeal came again outside the palace, and several censors from the Censorship Station also came and asked to see the prince.
Zhu Biao glanced at Hu Weiyong first. This kind of small meeting generally does not require the participation of Yushitai, unless there are special circumstances.
Hu Weiyong whispered: "Henan Zhangde Prefecture has just sent an urgent report that there are rebels. There are only more than a hundred people, and the Zhangde Prefecture has mobilized government troops to suppress them."
Local officials can selectively report many things. Generally, they will try to suppress things that are not good for them. There is only one thing that cannot be faked, and that is rebellion. Local officials are so bold that they dare not suppress the news of rebellion and not report it. , even if it’s just a mob.
Zhu Biao's expression remained unchanged. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the number of people who have rebelled has been like crucian carp crossing the river. That is to say, the anti-corruption effect in the past two years has been remarkable, and officials do not dare to blatantly bully the people. Only then have there been fewer cases of officials forcing the people to rebel. But occasionally It’s not surprising that there is.
"Are the thieves rebelling or the people rebelling?"
The rebels may be remnants of the Yuan Dynasty, or cults such as White Lotus Maitreya and others can be collectively referred to as thieves. It is not uncommon for them to rebel, but if the common people rebel, local officials must be blamed.
Without waiting for Hu Weiyong's reply, Zhu Biao summoned the censors to come in. Several neatly dressed censors quickly walked in, bowed respectfully to the prince and then reported: "I want to impeach the entire Zhangde Mansion for wantonly increasing exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, which has led to official persecution." The people are rebelling, please Your Highness to immediately send an imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate and appease the people!"
"Your Highness, I have learned that there is a folk song in Zhangde Prefecture, which is to ward off thieves with one gold and one drum, and to welcome officials with two drums and one gong. The gold drums all look the same, so officials and thieves do not compete with each other."
Zhu Biao's eyebrows jumped slightly. It would be normal for the censor to impeach in the morning tomorrow. But since this matter was just reported to the Zhangde Mansion, why did they, the censors in Beijing, suddenly know so clearly.
If he had known it for a long time, why didn't he report it in advance and had to wait until civil unrest broke out before he came over to say this? It was clearly just a precautionary measure by Hu Weiyong, who wanted to divert his attention to the administration of officials.
"Then let's follow what the ministers have told me. Zhao Yannian, who wrote the Zhongshu Provincial Pingzhang Political Affairs, and assisted the imperial censor in the palace, went to Zhangde and gave the king an order and flag to allow him to do things expediently."
The Ming Dynasty did not have the Sword of Shangfang, but the effect of the King's Order Flag was the same. In special circumstances, decisive measures were taken to avoid delaying major events due to reporting at all levels. All traitors and traitors were killed first and then reported.
"What does Mr. Hu think?"
"Your Highness is wise, and I respectfully obey your orders."
"Everyone, go down."
"No, I'll take your leave."
All the officials bowed and left after saluting. Zhu Biao silently stared at the empty hall with his hands behind his hands. After a while, he snorted and went straight down the stairs and entered the main hall.
Liu Jin followed with a cup of hot tea. Zhu Biao stood in front of the desk in the side hall. He took the tea and poured it into the inkstone. Then he grinded the ink stick a few times and wrote Li Cunyi San on the paper with a swipe of smoked ink. A big character.
"Send it to Chen Youzong."
Liu Jin picked up the paper and accepted the promise at an extremely fast speed. After stepping out of the hall, she carefully folded it and put it in her arms. Her steps were so fast that the little eunuchs behind her could hardly keep up.
At this time, the general affairs envoy should not have returned to the government office. As expected by Liu Jin, Chen Youzong was indeed still in the government office, patrolling the north. The general affairs envoy's responsibilities were even heavier, and he had to report to the capital every day.
Major and medium events as well as letters written by officials to the emperor were sent to the emperor.
When Chen Youzong heard that Liu Jin was coming, he hurried out to greet him. Just as he was about to leave the room, he bumped into Liu Jin, who had a deep face and a heavy breath. He was obviously very surprised. In his impression, Liu Jin had always been a peaceful person who loved to smile.
The smile that originally hung on his face immediately faded: "But does your Highness have any urgent instructions?"
Liu Jin didn't say much, and took out the piece of paper from his arms. Chen Youzong took one look at it, frowned, and immediately put it away: "Wei Chen understands, please don't worry, father-in-law."
Liu Jin calmed down for a while before speaking: "I shouldn't talk too much in front of the General Secretary, but some people are really too much. Have they forgotten the dignity and dignity? Do we have to make trouble on this day?
?"
It's not just a matter of the Beijing camp. Chen Youzong reacted instantly and said in a deep voice: "The so-called Lord is worried about the humiliation of his ministers, and the Lord is worried about the humiliation of his ministers and their death. Father-in-law, please don't worry."
A few words of reassurance could not quell the anger in Liu Jin's heart, but after all, he was just a slave, and it was difficult for him to attack his master in the court. After all, he had to count on these people.
Liu Jin turned around and left, and Chen Youzong immediately ordered the servant beside him: "Go and find out who has gone to meet His Highness the Crown Prince just now."
This was not a secret matter at all, and the results came soon. Chen Youzong also looked in the direction of Shusheng with a deep expression on his face. Hu Xiang had gone too far.
He immediately left the government office, but did not return to his mansion. Instead, he went straight to Yan's Mansion. On the way, he asked someone to invite some people to visit Yan's Mansion.
When they arrived at the gate of Yan Mansion, Yan Donglai's legitimate son was already waiting at the gate. When he saw Chen Youzong, he immediately saluted: "My nephew pays homage to Uncle Chen. My father is waiting in the hall."
In the past two years, the Chen family and the Yan family have long become close friends. After all, they are the only two direct civil servants in the East Palace who are in the capital, and the rest are working locally, so they naturally have to work together.
Chen Youzong forced a smile and said hello. When he stepped into the house, he saw Yan Donglai's wife waiting for him. He hurriedly came forward to greet him. After a while of greetings, he saw that Chen Youzong looked a little anxious, so he hurriedly led someone into the hall. Yan Donglai's son stayed behind.
Here we wait for those who have not yet arrived.
Yan Donglai suffered a serious illness, but fortunately he survived. Now he has been relieved of his post as Minister of Dali Temple. He has no more work to do with filing documents. Although his body is still a little thin, his energy and spirit have improved a lot.
"What happened."
Chen Youzong took out the piece of paper and gave it to Yan Dong to take a look at. The word "Prince", Yan Donglai, was naturally familiar to him, and the emotion contained in the word was naturally clear. This was very rare in His Highness's writing.
Yan Donglai said in a deep voice: "Li Cunyi has many reasons. Originally, he was just too lazy to argue with him. Although Hu Xiang is backing him, it is not difficult to cure him, and there is no need for you to come personally."
Chen Youzong briefly talked about what happened today. It didn't sound like a big deal, but for people with extremely high political sensitivity like them, they could still clearly see the turbulent waves below.
Chen Youzong slapped his thigh and committed suicide and said: "Hu Xiang has gone too far. If I wait to rest and recuperate like this, I will be ashamed of Your Highness's kindness in knowing you."
Yan Donglai's eyes were obviously filled with anger, but he still managed to restrain himself and said: "As ministers, why should we cherish this life and why should we be afraid of others? We are just afraid of ruining His Highness's plan."
Chen Youzong shook his head and said: "The fight between us and my ministers will be insignificant as long as Your Highness does not end up in the end."
"Besides, if you want to touch Li Cunyi, you have to have a fight with Hu Xiang. The only way is to make the fuss bigger. At least let them know that His Highness is the most noble Crown Prince of the country and cannot be tested by ministers."
Seeing this, Yan Donglai nodded and said: "Since you have made up your mind, then so be it. After we have been content with ourselves for a long time, it is time for us to make a move."
Although Yan Donglai has no authority, he is still a direct descendant of the East Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will send the imperial doctor to ask for pulse every now and then, and his disciples and old officials are still there.
After the two of them got angry with each other, everything behind them became simple. As officials of all sizes arrived and then dispersed, a storm was approaching and the city was enveloped.
In the prime minister's house, Chen Liang, the right minister of Zhongshu, took the secret letter from the servant and frowned: "Prime Minister, the situation is not good, they are going to target Li Cunyi!"
Hu Weiyong couldn't help but sigh. He became prime minister because of the political legacy of his mentor Li Shanchang. This also owed him a huge debt of gratitude to the Li family. Li Cunyi was his weakness that he could not abandon.
