This court meeting has the largest number of people and the most officials since the Great Court Meeting. It can be said that what happened in the capital yesterday is known to everyone and some officials know that today is another day full of blood.
Donglin officials looked at the "eunuchs" with arrogance. They felt that yesterday's incident had finally restored a little face, and they were back to the time when they had control over thunder and lightning.
Especially Song Yingxing, who almost wanted to enter the palace yesterday to ask for resignation from His Majesty, but a member of the Jinyi Guard Baihu who was responsible for protecting him stopped him.
Naturally, these hundreds of households were carefully arranged to protect Song Yingxing. Zhu Youxiao didn't want anything to happen to him, and these hundreds of households didn't even want to. Song Yingxing's safety was related to the lives of his whole family.
Liu Mao's eyes were fixed on Song Yingxing's back, and there was blood in his eyes. If eyes could kill, Song Yingxing would have been killed countless times by Liu Mao.
Wang Zaijin, who was passing by, happened to see this scene and stepped forward and said angrily:
"Liu Mao, the court meeting is about to begin. What's the point of staring at Song Shangshu if you don't prepare for etiquette? Could it be that you two have become enemies?"
Liu Mao was startled. He turned around and saw that it was Wang Zaijin. He quickly bowed and said:
"I'm sorry, I was in a daze just now. I hope I can forgive you!"
"This is not your first time in court. Why are you still so reckless? Be careful!"
After Wang Zaijin finished speaking, he walked to the first row to join the queue.
And Liu Mao cursed secretly in his heart, let’s see how long you eunuchs can be so proud.
At Mao o'clock, the drums on the Meridian Gate tower sounded, and the palace gate slowly opened. Civil and military officials entered the palace in two columns on the left and right, crossed the Jinshui Bridge and entered the Huangji Gate, and formed a procession in the square outside the Huangji Hall.
When a young eunuch on the steps shouted:
"Hundred officials enter the court!"
Then the civil servants, led by Wang Xiangqian, the Yuanfu of the Cabinet, and the military attachés, led by the British Duke Zhang Weixian, went up the steps from both sides, one on the left and the other on the right, and went straight into the Huangji Hall and stood there, waiting for the emperor.
After Zhu Youxiao arrived at the Huangji Hall, the civil servants went north to west, and the military attachés went north to east, knelt down and kowtowed three times, and then shouted "Long live His Majesty the Emperor" in unison.
"Pingshen!"
After the ceremony, the affairs were discussed according to the normal procedures. The Hongsi officials went out of work first and reported to the emperor the official schedule. Who has resigned, and it will take effect after the emperor's approval.
Then comes the military report, with Liaodong and Jiubian reports being submitted first. After the military report is processed, the most important step is entered, the official report!
Cheng Zheng, the censor of Zuoqiandu, coughed and took the lead in going out to start the class. After saluting, he said:
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
"allow!"
After receiving the emperor's approval, he said righteously:
"This memorial is to request Your Majesty to remove Song Yingxing from the post of Minister of Industry. I believe that this person is unworthy of his moral character and impeach him for corruption and accepting bribes!"
"First, this man is extremely luxurious, but after only serving for a few days, he actually has a large house with four floors, several slaves, and countless beautiful wives and concubines at home!"
"Secondly, Song Yingxing has no real talent or achievements, so how can he assume the important position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry?"
"Thirdly, Song Yingxing's fame can only be achieved by one person. Your Majesty's attempt to encourage others will only harm him. Your Majesty's move has also messed up the rules of our Ming Dynasty for more than two hundred years!"
"I ask your Majesty to issue an edict to remove Song Yingxing from office!"
After Cheng Zheng finished speaking, Liu Mao, Shi Jishi and other Donglin officials also stepped forward and said:
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"I also second the proposal!"
As expected, Zhu Youxiao was not disappointed. The formation of these people today was really quite large. There were nearly twenty officials at the head. It was different when someone was planning. Everything was so logical.
"Song Yingxing's house, servants, and maids were all given by me. Do I still want to report to you?"
"I don't dare!"
Cheng Zhengji reacted very quickly this time. As soon as Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he knelt down and kowtowed!
"As for Song Yingxing's talent, I and the three masters in the cabinet have recognized that he is qualified to be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry. As for his achievements, you will know later."
Zhu Youxiao looked at Cheng Zhengji and asked:
"Tell me what achievements you made before becoming an official!"
Cheng Zheng was still kneeling on the ground with his forehead on the ground, not daring to respond!
Zhu Youxiao looked at the Donglin officials behind him and said:
"Which of you can tell me?"
"Your Majesty, even though Song Yingxing is talented and virtuous, he is still not suitable for taking on such an important responsibility!"
Since Cheng Zhengji dared to be the leader today, he still had some courage.
"No matter how talented he is, it can't change his status as a scholar. Since the establishment of the imperial examination in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, there has never been such a precedent. It has chilled the hearts of scholars all over the world and is not in line with the ancestral system!"
"He cannot hold the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry due to emotion or reason. Why would Your Majesty go against the grain and break the Ming Dynasty's rules?"
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but take another look at him. These people in Donglin were not all greedy for life and afraid of death. It was a pity that they were talking about the wrong person.
"What is a precedent? One thing leads to another. According to what you say, there is no need for the First Emperor to unify China, there is no need for Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty to hold the imperial examination, and there is no need for Emperor Taizu to expel the barbarians and restore China!"
"Because there is no so-called precedent before them, then I want to ask you, why can't there be such a precedent in my time?"
Zhu Youxiao's words left them speechless. It took Cheng Zheng a long time to squeeze out a sentence.
"I think it's still inappropriate, so please think again, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, please think twice!"
More than 20 people came out to second the proposal. These Donglin officials also knew that their hope was slim, so they rushed out to make a last-ditch effort.
Seeing their determined expressions, Zhu Youxiao lost his last bit of patience and opened the skylight to speak frankly.
"Do you think I will compromise you like my grandfather? It's already the first year of the Apocalypse!"
After saying that, he didn't care about the emperor's dignity, and directly threw a copy of the memorial on the imperial case to Wang Chaofu, and then leaned on the dragon chair. Wang Chaofu took the memorial and read:
"Jinyiwei reported that twenty-one people, including Cheng Zhengji, Liu Mao, and Shi Jishi, met with Ye Xianggao, the former cabinet minister, last night. During the meeting, they made treacherous and unethical remarks. They did not criticize the emperor and conspired to frame important officials of the imperial court. More
It is for people to stir up trouble among the people and spread rumors to create chaos, which is tantamount to conspiracy!"
Wang Chaofu then sent all the charges recorded by the factory guards to the officials one by one. What they did, what they planned to do, and what they said were all clearly recorded.
After seeing this, all the officials were frightened. These people were really bold. The evidence was conclusive. Even those who were friends with them, no one dared to come out to intercede!
Xu Zhiji, the master of Dali Temple, stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, please hand over these people to Dali Temple for interrogation!"
This is a great opportunity to perform, so you must seize the opportunity.
Xue Zhen, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, also thought the same way. How could the credit of Bai Jian be given away to him?
"Your Majesty, please hand it over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice for trial!"