"Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"
Zhou Shangjing's expression was dull, but as he spoke, everyone in the Hall of Supreme Harmony looked solemn and dignified.
What Emperor Deqing said just now was actually a hint to the officials that for the sake of the overall situation, refugees from all over the country have come to Beijing to complain. For the sake of the overall situation, they should reduce the big matter to a trivial matter, and treat it coldly to reduce the impact as much as possible. If
Someone is using this incident to stir up trouble and spread the bad influence further, that is, deliberately destroying the majesty and reputation of Emperor Deqing and the imperial court, and showing disobedience!
Obviously, as people from all over the country came to Beijing to complain, Emperor Deqing also realized that the current situation of Prince Zhu Heyu was not good, and he was trying to find a way to protect him.
Officials from various factions in the DPRK also had some scruples because of this hint. Although they had plans in advance, they did not dare to speak easily.
At this time, among all the officials, only Zhou Shangjing dared to confront Emperor Deqing.
However, with Zhou Shangjing's consistent style, it seems that he would not openly oppose Emperor Deqing.
…………
On the other side, when he saw Zhou Shangjing coming out to speak, Emperor Deqing narrowed his eyes and said softly: "Oh? Zhou Aiqing has something to report? It's rare. Tell me what it is."
Under the attention of hundreds of officials, Zhou Shangjing's expression remained indifferent, and he just said slowly: "The veteran has also benefited a lot from your majesty's golden words just now. The purpose of the southern tour is to spread the majesty of the imperial court and emphasize the existence of the emperor. This is the most important thing.
The influence must not be ruined because of the selfish interests of villains. Otherwise, the reputation of both His Majesty and the court will be damaged. But at the same time, if something unexpected happens, you should also prioritize the matter. Put the overall situation first, even if you need to investigate
, and must not be strictly investigated, otherwise, such bad influence will only be further expanded, made known to the whole world, and ultimately shaken the hearts of the people and the country."
Everyone was stunned when they heard Zhou Shangjing say this.
After Zhou Shangjing came out, everyone thought that he would refute Emperor Deqing. After all, there are many truths to say at this time, such as "eliminate all evil" and "rectify the world". As long as the prince Zhu Heyu said those things in the past
Just copy the words again.
But I never expected that Zhou Shangjing not only did not refute Emperor Deqing, but also greatly agreed with Emperor Deqing’s views!?
Is it possible that Zhou Shangjing compromised with Emperor Deqing just because of a few meaningful threats?
Standing in the queue of hundreds of officials, Zhao Junchen looked at Zhou Shangjing's old but not to be underestimated figure and knew that things were by no means that simple.
Sure enough, after Zhou Shangjing finished speaking, he suddenly turned his gaze to Prince Zhu Heyu and asked with a gentle expression: "I think that His Highness the Prince must have the same view. Prince, do you think this is the case?"
But a mere inquiry caused a sudden change in the situation!
As Zhou Shangjing finished speaking, the expressions of Emperor Deqing and the princes all changed!
But Zhao Junchen's face showed an expression of admiration.
As expected of Zhou Shangjing, the ginger is still spicy!
From beginning to end, Zhou Shangjing had no intention of offending Emperor Deqing! He just asked Prince Zhu Heyu at the end!
However, Zhou Shangjing's question seemed ordinary, but because of this, Prince Zhu Heyu fell into a dilemma. It was impossible to say "yes", and it was impossible to say "no"!
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that both Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing were talking about how refugees from all over the country came to Beijing to complain because of the flaws in the preparations for the southern tour.
And Prince Zhu Heyu was directly responsible for the preparations for the southern tour!
At this time, if Prince Zhu Heyu agrees with Zhou Shangjing's point of view and agrees to let this matter go, then what position will he have in the future to accuse Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen and others of corruption and bribery, forming cliques for personal gain? Those who admire the prince's uprightness
What will the upright princelings who gathered around the prince think after seeing the prince's statement? How will the officials and people in the government and the public regard the prince Zhu Heyu?
If Prince Zhu Heyu disagrees with Zhou Shangjing's point of view, not only will he refute Emperor Deqing's well-intentioned protection in person, causing him to offend Emperor Deqing again, but the major factions in the DPRK will also seize the opportunity to impeach him.
Refugees from all over the country came to Beijing to complain, causing trouble. Prince Zhu Heyu and the Procuratorate's Yamen would also be in trouble. But Emperor Deqing no longer had the position to stop anything.
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen admired Zhou Shangjing's sophisticated methods more and more, but also felt regretful in his heart. Looking at Zhu Heyu's back, he secretly thought: "What a pity, given the prince's temperament, what will happen next..."
…………
Sure enough, after hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu's expression first changed, then a trace of hesitation flashed across his expression, and then he showed determination and determination, stepped out and said loudly: "Father, you and your chief minister.
My lord, I do not agree with what you mean!"
Emperor Deqing's face darkened, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes!
What Emperor Deqing said just now was clearly for the sake of Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, and to silence all the officials before they impeached the prince, but the prince refuted him in front of all the officials!
Show no mercy!
But Zhu Heyu did not take this into consideration, and just said righteously: "Father, in my opinion, it is precisely because the matter of the southern tour is of great importance and has far-reaching influence, so if there are villains who take advantage of the opportunity to make profits for themselves,
, which has ruined the reputation of the father and the imperial court and caused bad influence, so it should be severely punished! Only in this way can we deter corrupt officials and let the people of the world regain their confidence in the legal justice of the imperial court! If
A major issue is reduced to a trivial matter, and ultimately nothing comes to an end. It seems to have reduced the impact, but it will chill the hearts of knowledgeable people in the world! Please give me a clear warning, Father!"
Seeing Emperor Deqing's face becoming increasingly unhappy, Zhao Junchen shook his head secretly and sighed in his heart: "Why do you always have to show your integrity in a reckless way? You also have to consider the timing to show your integrity."
However, after Prince Zhu Heyu's statement, Emperor Deqing no longer had the position to cover up for him.
While Zhao Junchen was sighing secretly, Shen Changmao suddenly came out and sneered: "Oh? That's what His Highness the Crown Prince thinks? You are really speaking righteously. However, Your Highness the Crown Prince, although your words sound good, but in recent days,
What he did was inconsistent with his words and deeds, which made the old minister unable to agree!"
Then, they saw Huang Yourong coming out. With a look of compassion, Huang Yourong reported to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, in recent days, many things have happened in the capital, which are related to your Majesty's southern tour and have extremely great influence.
It's bad, just because it involves a big shot in the court. The old minister has the same thoughts as His Majesty. Things like this will become more and more troublesome, so I have been suppressing it, but when I heard what the prince said just now,
After some words, the old minister had to say these things!?br />
Emperor Deqing glanced at Zhu Heyu, with an angry look in his eyes, and seemed to sigh again. Then he looked solemn and said slowly: "Oh? What exactly is it? Which big shot is involved?
?Huang Aiqing, please tell me and let me listen."
Huang Yourong sighed: "Your Majesty, just four days ago, people from Heze, Shandong Province came to Beijing to file a complaint, saying that local officials took the opportunity to prepare for Your Majesty's southern tour to forcibly expropriate land and frequently increase taxes, which caused many people to suffer."
Being displaced and even having their families destroyed, the people were miserable and had no choice but to go to Beijing to file a complaint. However, when they arrived in the capital, because His Highness the Crown Prince was responsible for the preparations for the southern tour, neither the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Dali Temple nor the Ministry of Punishment dared to do so.
Accepting the case, the Metropolitan Procuratorate was bent on covering up the prince, and even beat the refugees in the street, which caused extremely bad effects in the capital. There were also rumors among the government and the public, and the legal justice of the court was henceforth
, I have no confidence anymore! Such a situation has a serious impact, and I hope your Majesty will investigate it strictly!"
As the three cabinet elders took the lead in speaking, the prince was once again cornered. Officials from all factions became more energetic and finally no longer scrupulous about Emperor Deqing's hints, and started to impeach him one after another!
"Your Majesty, there have been such big mistakes in the preparations for the southern tour. As the person responsible, the prince cannot absolve himself of the blame. I hope your majesty will learn from it!"
"Your Majesty, as far as I know, the flaw in the preparations for the southern tour has long been reported. Censors from various places have also sent impeachment papers to the Metropolitan Procuratorate. However, all these impeachment papers were rejected by the Procuratorate.
I hope your Majesty will understand clearly!"
"Your Majesty, during this incident, the Metropolitan Procuratorate was bent on covering up the prince. There was no justice at all. Not only did they refuse to accept the cases of ordinary people, they also beat and drove away the refugees in the street. The impact is extremely bad. I hope your Majesty will punish you severely!"
"Your Majesty, as far as I know, the people who are being exploited because of the preparations for the Southern Tour are by no means limited to Heze, Shandong, but from Zhili in the north to Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Wherever Your Majesty visited during the Southern Tour,
The preparations all went wrong more or less, and people from all over the country came to Beijing to complain. In the past four days alone, three waves of refugees came to Beijing! And the people who were on their way to Beijing to complain did not know that there were
How many!"
"Your Majesty, I heard that yesterday, Jia Simao, the imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, went out to Beijing secretly, and actually arrested and intercepted people along the way who came to Beijing to complain! Such actions have further damaged the reputation of the imperial court. I hope your majesty will investigate strictly
!”
"Your Majesty, what the Metropolitan Procuratorate has done in the past few days can no longer be said to be fair. It has ignored the laws of the imperial court and ignored His Majesty's majesty. The entire Metropolitan Procuratorate cannot escape the blame. It should be severely rectified. I hope Your Majesty will learn from it.
!”
…………
All of a sudden, officials from various factions came out to impeach Crown Prince Zhu Heyu and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. In just a moment, more than ten officials came out to impeach the prince, with great momentum.
When Prince Zhu Heyu and the Imperial Procuratorate saw such momentum, they all looked angry as if they were being pointed out by thousands of people. However, most of what these impeachment officials said were facts, but they also made them uncomfortable.
Know how to rebut.
The foundation of the prince's party's momentum in the government is in jeopardy!
At this moment, Emperor Deqing finally spoke. (To be continued...)