Just like that, with the moon rising and setting, and the undercurrent surging, it was already around nine o'clock in the morning the next day.
When Zhao Junchen got off the sedan outside the Meridian Gate, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and other members of Zhao Junchen's party quickly came up to greet him and gathered around Zhao Junchen.
As for the officials waiting outside the Meridian Gate, when they saw Zhao Junchen appear, they all paid attention, and their eyes kept moving back and forth between Huang Yourong and Zhao Junchen.
Everyone knows that Huang Yourong's faction will definitely counterattack in this morning's court meeting. Few people can calculate what changes will happen next. Therefore, outside the Meridian Gate at this time, including those from the Zhao and Huang factions, The officials all looked solemn and solemn.
…………
However, unlike the solemn expressions of the officials, Zhao Junchen's expression at this time was quite calm and collected.
While signaling to his friends, Zhao Junchen turned around and looked around, suddenly smiled and said: "Today's morning meeting, all the officials came. I'm afraid they all got the news and rushed to see the excitement. Already."
It turned out that outside the Meridian Gate at this time, there was a rare gathering of hundreds of officials who were qualified to go to court. Not only Huang Yourong, but also Shen Changmao, the powerful officials in the court who usually like to show off and always show up at the last moment, came early The ministers, such as Feng Po, the Minister of Punishment, and Cao Wenzhuang, the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor, who were old and sick and often asked for leave early in the morning, all appeared outside the Meridian Gate.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhan Shanchang couldn't help but smile, and he couldn't help but relax his slightly nervous mood, and said: "Indeed, when the official came to the Meridian Gate today, he was also shocked, like the Crown Prince and Tutor Cao Wenzhuang. Mr. Cao has not been to court for nearly half a month. He has been recovering at home due to illness. I heard that his illness is not cured now, but in order to be able to catch up with the morning court today, he still dragged his illness to come. , I just saw him putting ginseng slices in his mouth to refresh himself, but it was really difficult for him."
Zuo Lanshan commented: "Of course, we officials, when it comes to the matter, we are not afraid of doing the wrong thing or offending others. To put it more clearly, even if it is corruption, bribery, or using power for personal gain, it will not be a problem." It's not a big deal, but the most fearful thing is that if you choose the wrong position and stand on the wrong team, you will be seriously doomed. Now, Mr. Zhao, you are fighting with Mr. Huangge. The situation in the DPRK and China will definitely change. If they don't come to witness it, How can we feel at ease if we personally observe the changes in the situation and consider our future stance?"
Gu Quan looked in admiration, nodded and said: "What Zuo Shangshu said is reasonable, and the essence is revealed in one sentence. This is the truth."
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zuo Lanshan, shook his head and said softly: "Although the truth is this, it cannot be said clearly. The reason why those Qingliu people have a good reputation is because the truths they speak are always high-sounding. From now on, we will work hard for our own. For the sake of reputation, we should also learn from them."
Zuo Lanshan said with a smile: "Master Zhao is right. I would never dare to say these words normally. Isn't it because I am in front of Master Zhao? Of course I only tell the truth."
Hearing what Zuo Lanshan said, Zhao Junchen couldn't refute, he just shook his head and laughed.
While chatting with his friends, Zhao Junchen suddenly felt that someone was staring at him, with undisguised malice in his eyes.
He turned around and looked directly into Huang Yourong's eyes.
Seeing Zhao Junchen looking towards him, Huang Yourong still did not hide the malice in his eyes. He just smiled coldly and turned his head to stop looking at Zhao Junchen, as if he was disdainful of Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen, on the other hand, nodded politely towards Huang Yourong, his eyes were calm and cold, as if he didn't even know that there was still grudges between the two.
"Wait and see!"
"I'm waiting."
This is probably the meaning behind the exchange of glances between the two people.
But at this moment, the bell on the Meridian Gate rang, and it was Mao hour. All officials clicked Mao, and the morning dynasty was about to begin.
…………
Next, the officials ordered the officials to line up, enter the palace, form the team again, and then enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony to wait. All the details are complicated and there is no need to mention them again.
However, after the officials entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, they only had to wait for a cup of tea before the eunuch Zhang De came to the imperial steps and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived, and all the officials bowed down~"
Following Zhang De's shout, Emperor Deqing slowly appeared in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Seeing that Emperor Deqing had appeared so early, most of the officials were stunned for a moment, and then they came to their senses and quickly kowtowed and shouted "Long live".
Ever since the preparations for the southern tour went wrong, Emperor Deqing suspected that there were disloyal people in the court who were secretly causing trouble. During this period, he always deliberately showed his imperial dignity, and every day when he went to the morning court, he always deliberately showed off his dignity.
The officials waited for a while, but it was extremely rare to show up as early as today.
Obviously, the party struggle between Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong is now not only the focus of hundreds of officials, but even Emperor Deqing is also very concerned about it, and maybe even a little impatient.
"My dear friends, please stand up."
After the officials got up, Emperor Deqing also noticed the officials in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. They were more organized than before. He obviously understood what the officials were thinking. There was a look of ridicule and complexity on his face, but then he revealed
With a look of concern and care, he slowly asked: "Oh? I didn't expect that even Cao Taifu and Feng Shangshu would come to the morning court today. It's been a long time since I saw the hundreds of officials in the morning court so neatly organized. Cao Taifu and Feng Aiqing, I heard
You two have been ill and have been unable to recover for a long time. Are you feeling better now? You are both veterans, so you don’t have to force yourself too much."
Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, the Crown Prince, Cao Wenzhuang, and the Minister of Punishment, Feng Po, quickly came out to thank the emperor for his kindness, and declared that they were in good health and could go to court normally.
Then, at the beginning of the morning dynasty, the situation was as dull as ever. Emperor Deqing asked the officials about the prince's departure from Beijing to review the case, as well as the progress and details of the review of the examination papers. During the question and answer period, neither Emperor Deqing nor the officials asked about the situation.
, all of them were a little absent-minded and no longer as detailed as before. They were obviously distracted by the second round between Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong.
Of course, this was also one of Zhao Junchen's purposes. Only by diverting Emperor Deqing's attention in this way could Emperor Deqing avoid the various hidden dangers that might arise while Prince Zhu Heyu was away from Beijing to handle the case.
In just about half a stick of incense, Emperor Deqing had already asked all the questions that needed to be asked. After glancing at Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong intentionally or unintentionally, he said, "My beloved, do you have anything else to report?"
?"
As Emperor Deqing finished speaking, the eunuch Zhang De quickly stepped forward and shouted loudly: "If you have something to do, please report it early. If there is nothing to do, leave the court."
Then, as if they had a clear understanding of each other, all the officials turned their attention to Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong.
They know that after the dull foreplay, the fun finally begins!
…………
Sure enough, as expected by all the officials, as soon as the eunuch Zhang De finished speaking, one of Huang Yourong's cronies, Zhang Bingwen, the imperial censor of Zuoqiandu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, had already stepped out of the queue first and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to report.
.”
On the other side, Zhao Junchen's cronies, Gu Quan, Jin Duode and others who also served in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, were a step slower. Just as they took a step forward, they were already beaten by Zhang Bingwen. At this time, Zhang Bingwen was showing off his provocation.
Out of the corner of his eye, he retracted his steps in embarrassment.
Emperor Deqing didn't seem to notice these details at all, and just said: "Oh? What's the matter? Tell me."
Zhang Bingwen raised his voice and said: "Your Majesty, a local government office is now impeaching the Ministry of Household Affairs, claiming that the amount of money and grain granted by the Ministry of Household Affairs to the local area is seriously inconsistent. It seems that the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs are corrupt, and I have also heard that the money and grain granted by the Ministry of Household Affairs to the local area,
It actually requires a half-percent kickback from local officials to bribe the Ministry of Household Affairs to issue the full amount. The Ministry of Household Affairs is in charge of the world's money and food, which is crucial. If this situation is taken seriously, the people will be harmed, the local area will be uneasy, and even your Majesty's world will be uneasy.
It will also be unstable, so please investigate closely, Your Majesty!"
Hearing that Zhang Bingwen pointed directly at Zhao Junchen's headquarters, all the officials were shocked and understood that Huang Yourong was not showing any mercy to Zhao Junchen.
As Zhang Bingwen finished speaking, Grand Tutor Zhang Cheng also came out, with a look full of concern for the country and the people, and said: "Your Majesty, I have heard from time to time that the Yamen of the Ministry of Revenue is now harboring filth and evil, and all officials from top to bottom are corrupt.
Unscrupulously misappropriating the court's money and food, although the Ministry of Revenue can still barely operate, it is actually already in a serious deficit and cannot make expenditures! And as Zhang Yushi said, the Ministry of Households is in charge of the world's money and food, which is crucial. If there is a problem with the Ministry of Households
"Every country in the world will be in turmoil. The old minister believes that this matter cannot be neglected and delayed. I sincerely request your majesty to strictly inspect the household department and let the Department of Three Laws audit the accounts of the household department to find out the truth and falsehood, so as to reassure the world."
As Zhang Cheng finished speaking, officials from Huang Yourong's group expressed their support one after another, and the other officials were even more shocked.
Over the years, officials in the Ministry of Revenue have long heard of the secrets of hiding filth and misappropriating money and food, and when they think of Zhao Junchen's reputation as a corrupt official, they don't think it is fake.
In fact, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu had raised the issue of auditing the accounts of the Household Department many times, but they were all suppressed by Emperor Deqing. Zhao Junchen also strongly rebounded for this. As a result, the accounts of the Household Department were
The details are unknown to anyone except the Ministry of Revenue.
But precisely because of this, it also gave the officials an illusion, that is, for Zhao Junchen, the accounts of the Household Department were his weakest point. Once he really checked, in the face of various shortcomings and loopholes, even if he was moral,
Even Emperor Qing couldn't protect him.
Now looking at Huang Yourong's group, they are pursuing the investigation of the accounts of the Household Department, and they look like they want to investigate to the end. All the officials secretly sighed in their hearts: Huang Yourong has been serving as the cabinet boss for many years and has rich experience in party disputes. This is just one move.
, has pushed Zhao Junchen to the edge. Although Zhao Junchen has been gaining momentum recently, he is still not as good as Huang Yourong after all.
However, what surprised the officials was that in response to the moves of Huang Yourong's faction, Zhao Junchen's faction from Zhao Junchen on down were all silent and did not make any statements!
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ps: Three updates today, this is the first one. By the way, please give me likes! (To be continued.)