When Zuo Menggeng said he would withdraw his troops, he really did so. He was not just threatening.
And his decision frightened Huang Zongxi a little.
"Zhongheng, you are being reckless this time. We haven't had the chance to take action yet, so we might be in trouble this time."
Zuo Mengeng didn't take it seriously.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Huang Zongxi couldn't hide his worry, so he turned around and hurriedly asked people to send messages to Qu Shishu, Zhang Jimeng, Li Banghua and others in Linqing.
When Zuo Mengeng returned to Linqing, he was immediately invited by these people.
"We have thought carefully about the conflict between you and Heng Fan, and feel that we cannot ignore it. Otherwise, if the imperial court thunders down, our strength will not be able to withstand it for the time being."
Li Banghua expressed his opinions on behalf of everyone.
Zuo Mengeng looked at their extremely serious expressions, feeling secretly happy in his heart.
"How to deal with that?"
Qu Shishu said matter-of-factly: "There are many conflicts between officials and vassals. Most of the time, vassals are the ones who suffer. But we are a little unjust about this matter. In my opinion, it is better to file a letter to defend ourselves immediately."
"
The vassal kings in the Ming Dynasty had no rights, and were easily manipulated by local officials. But this does not mean that the vassal kings were just bullshit, and that they really could not do the job of officials.
Especially the identity of General Zuo Menggeng made it easy for the court to be wary.
But Zuo Mengeng did not agree with their ideas.
"Since I did nothing wrong, why should I defend myself?"
Zhang Jimeng stamped his feet, fearing that Zuo Menggeng didn't know the power of it.
"Zhongheng, don't be stubborn. Our current situation is hard-won. If you are not careful, the wealth and life of many people will be at risk."
Seeing him say this, Zuo Mengeng also became serious.
"Everyone, your thinking is too passive. If I really write a letter to defend myself, it will be a matter of life and death."
Liu Yiyuan didn't know much about officialdom and government affairs, so he said anxiously: "This can help to some extent."
“Why remedy it?”
Seeing that Zuo Mengeng still didn't seem to repent, Li Banghua became angry.
"If Prince Heng's crown prince impeaches you, how will you handle yourself? Do you know that it is a serious crime to despise your clan members and commit the following crimes?"
Zuo Mengeng's eyes flashed with a strange light.
"Then I can also go to court to impeach Heng Fan."
Qu Shishu thought that Zuo Menggeng was losing face and asked, "What can you do to impeach Heng Fan?"
Zuo Mengeng's tone was faint, with a hint of blood.
"Colluded with Bai Lian, intending to rebel."
In an instant, everyone felt a chill.
Li Banghua was frightened, thinking that Zuo Menggeng was going to take danger.
"Absolutely not. The court will find out once the matter is investigated. By then, your guilt will be even greater."
Zuo Mengeng remained unmoved.
"So, the word 'suspicious' should be added in front of this crime. We have reasonable doubts and write a letter about it. Isn't it the way to be a minister? As for whether the person in the Forbidden City believes it or not, that is not our business."
Zhang Jimeng shook his head and sighed.
"How can Your Majesty believe such clumsy words?"
Zuo Mengeng's face was cold and playful.
"Then who knows? Anyway, the vassal king of their old Zhu family has a tradition of rebellion."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Everyone was stimulated by these words, calmed down, and after thinking about it carefully, they suddenly realized that Zuo Mengeng was not acting randomly.
King Yan, King Han, King Ning...
In the history of the Ming Dynasty, there were many examples of feudal kings rebelling.
Furthermore, Chongzhen's branch is also led by the vassal king. Since they can do it, isn't it normal for other vassal kings to have some ideas?
For some reason, Qu Shichen was a little afraid of Zuo Mengeng.
"But what's the reason?"
Zuo Mengeng was calm and composed.
"He Heng Fan did not collude with the White Lotus Sect and intend to rebel. Why did he stop our army from suppressing the bandits?"
As a party involved, Huang Zongxi knew everything.
"Isn't Heng Fan afraid that we will trample on his fields?"
Zuo Mengeng sneered.
"You are the emperor, do you believe it or not?"
Everyone was completely speechless, and suddenly realized that Zuo Mengeng had calculated everything.
How did they know that although Zuo Menggeng had never met Chongzhen, the analysis of creatures like emperors by later generations was as accurate as guided missiles.
This is definitely the most suspicious creature in the world. It values the throne under its butt more than anything else. Anyone who wants to take a peek will be torn into pieces by this creature.
No real evidence is needed. As long as the emperor becomes suspicious, the person involved will lose his skin even if he is dead.
Heng Fan only did this out of greed, but in the eyes of the emperor, this might not be the case.
In feudal society, once someone is suspected by the emperor, the consequences can be imagined.
No one thought that Zuo Menggeng could play so skillfully.
"It's a good thing you didn't enter the officialdom. Otherwise, many of your opponents would have perished."
What Li Banghua said was actually a compliment.
Because Zuo Menggeng's political maturity is what all of them are happy to see.
Previously, Zuo Menggeng was too young, and everyone was very suspicious, fearing that he would make a mistake. But today, with his extraordinary skill, everyone has increased their confidence in him.
How did they know that this was not Zuo Menggeng's political maturity at all, but the various public opinion wars in later generations that gave Zuo Menggeng reference.
He knew very well that in such a conflict, it was absolutely impossible to stop it with troops or with water and earth.
But I want you to hit yours and I'll hit mine.
Only in this way can the situation be messed up, and then one can escape and leave the enemy trapped in the quagmire.
It's just like the fact that a leader of a certain country peed his pants in later generations. It doesn't matter if it's true or false. Anyway, he just wants to use public opinion to make you peed his pants.
It is certainly easier to spread rumors than to refute them, but the costs are not at the same level.
Back to this matter, it doesn't matter whether Heng Fan rebels or not, as long as the emperor's psychology is accurately used, then the unlucky one will definitely not be Zuo Mengeng.
Zhu Youchi's impeachment memorial was quickly sent to the capital.
The matter involved the vassal king, and the ceremonial supervisor did not dare to neglect it and quickly submitted it to Chongzhen.
Zhu Youchi impeached Zuo Menggeng for the crime of despising his clan members, committing crimes below, allowing the enemy to flee far away, and supporting the invaders to respect themselves.
I have to say that Zhu Youyi's thoughts are quite vicious, and he might really make Zuo Menggen's skin peel off.
After reading the memorial, Chongzhen was indeed furious.
"Zuo Menggeng is extremely bold. I have been kind to him, but he is arrogant and domineering. He must be severely punished."
Wang Cheng'en didn't say anything, but just hunched over, waiting for Chongzhen to issue the order, and then he drafted the seal.
But before Chongzhen could say anything, Zhang Yixian rolled in, his face pale and shaking like chaff.
"Your Majesty, Dongchang Xie... Dongchang Xie's general Zuo Menggeng is here to impeach... impeach Heng Fan... suspected of colluding with Bai Lian and plotting rebellion!"
If possible, he wouldn't want to report this matter.
But all the other big guys in the inner court saw the opportunity and ran away. He had no choice but to face Chongzhen directly.
Chongzhen was originally thinking about what kind of charges he would charge Zuo Menggeng with, but when he heard his words, he was immediately stunned and even suspected that there was something wrong with his ears.
Zhang Yixian didn't dare to raise his head and hurriedly explained the matter again. He just hoped that Chongzhen wouldn't see him and wouldn't cause trouble for him.
Chongzhen was speechless for a long time, and his expression changed several times.
No one knows what he is thinking.
After almost a cup of tea, he asked quietly: "Daban, tell me... which one of Heng Fan and Zuo Mengeng said is true?"
If it were someone else who heard him ask this question, he would definitely be embarrassed and not know how to answer.
But as Wang Chengen, who had served Chongzhen since childhood, he immediately felt the mystery.
One is obviously a relative, but he is treated as a vassal; the other is a minister, but he is called by his first name.
"Old slave, I can't figure it out for a moment. But I think there is a reason why Heng Fan is so domineering."
Chongzhen breathed a long sigh of relief and ordered: "Let Han Chuan, the Jin Yiwei, go check it out."
As for what to check, everyone knows everything.
Han Chuan was very helpful and came to see Chongzhen three days later with the results.
This speed made Chongzhen admire him very much, and he became more and more satisfied with his talent.
Can it be faster?
The whole story was given by Zuo Mengeng.
When Han Chuan told the truth about the matter, Chongzhen was angry and smiled bitterly.
He originally thought that there was something unspeakable hidden behind this, but he did not expect that it was actually a war of words between Zuo Mengeng and Heng Fan.
Heng Fan did not understand the general situation and actually stopped Zuo Menggeng from fighting for his own land.
Zuo Mengeng was young and energetic, so he withdrew his troops in anger.
As for Zuo Menggeng accusing Heng Fan of intending to rebel, Chongzhen thought about it and might have thought the same if he were in Zuo Menggeng's position.
"Pass the decree, Zuo Menggeng is domineering, and he will be demoted two levels and retained. Heng Fan is ignorant of public loyalty and has disrupted the government. He will be banned for five years from now on. The eunuch in charge Zhou Quan... beat to death."
With this decree, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Chongzhen was leaning towards Zuo Mengeng.
What's the difference between being demoted two levels and retained, and not being punished?
In fact, Chongzhen had no choice but to do this.
"Instruct Zuo Mengeng to suppress the thieves with all his heart. The chaos in Shandong is unjust and I cannot spare him."
Isn’t there no one available, no soldiers available?
The Bailian Rebellion in Shandong would have turned into a prairie fire without Zuo Menggeng's intervention.