After hearing Li Er's words, Li Dongyang felt angry rising to the top of his head.
Are these martial arts practitioners mentally ill, or are they so superstitious about the cannons created by Zhang Bingkuan? Are you going to set up a stronghold on the grassland just because you keep talking?
Even if you can really hold on on the grassland, have you ever thought about what you eat and drink on the grassland?
How to maintain this supply line?
Should we let you go herding and turn you into an army of nomadic tribes? Are all of them brainless?
“Let’s discuss it later.” Zhu Youtang said, “This battle is almost over, so it’s time to withdraw our troops and finish the autumn harvest. Reports from various places this year say that the harvest is pretty good. In addition to the promotion of new crops in Liaodong, they are also promoted in Sanbian and Xuanda. Let's try the yield of these new crops first." Li Dongyang became even more angry when he heard this. .
For the crops that China has cultivated for thousands of years, Zhang Bingkuan said that he would change them if they changed, and he still seemed confident and confident. This is annoying.
How can you, Zhang Bingkuan, go against the will of God in your relationship?
"Your Majesty." Li Dongyang said, "From what I can see, if the new crops in various places are not cultivated well, or if the crops cannot supply the rations of the people and military officers, they should be canceled in the coming year."
"What do you mean?" Zhu Youtang frowned.
Li Dongyang said: "From what I can see, the output of the fields is related to the livelihood of the people. If it is changed rashly, it will only be counterproductive."
Zhu Youtang asked curiously: "I have tasted the new crops, and I feel full from the mouth. There is no problem at all, and the yield is still high. Why not plant them?"
"Your Majesty, you cannot listen to others, but should..."
p>
"That's enough!" Zhu Youtang said, "I know what you mean. You mean, I have only tasted the special tribute food, and have never eaten the food eaten by the common people, then I will eat it in the fields everywhere this year After the production, I can just bring some from the field and you can try it yourself, right? Come here today and send a message to the northwest to ask them to withdraw their troops."
< p>At this point, Zhu Youtang couldn't help but get up and leave.……
……
After the emperor left, many ministers present finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As if they were relieved, one by one stood up and prepared to leave.
Wang Hao said to Li Dongyang: "Why are you so persistent? Shouldn't everything depend on the results?"
It means that it is rare for Zhang Zhou to be away from the normal discussion. We have a chance. To achieve deeper communication with the emperor, you have to say some unpleasant words, which will bore the emperor and eventually break up on bad terms.
If this continues, sooner or later it will be like the Chenghua period, where the emperor will not go to court and it will be difficult for ministers to see the emperor.
Li Dongyang said: "Jizhi, based on your knowledge, do you think that China's food farming methods since ancient times are wrong and need to be corrected?"
Wang Hao said: "Just blindlyIt is inappropriate to follow the old ways. If this matter was promoted by others, would you feel better? "
Just say, you are targeting Zhang Bingkuan, the person rather than the matter.
"Humph! "Li Dongyang made a sound in his throat, and it seemed that he was very angry.
Obviously from the perspective of a traditional Confucian scholar, moderation and conformity are things engraved in his bones, and it is impossible to change them. That would be tantamount to It has subverted his outlook on life.
It would be even more unbearable if his political opponents wanted to make some changes.
…
… …
An internal meeting in the palace ended in an unhappy state.
Zhang Mao stood up leisurely, his body was very light, and he was so sick, old, and unable to support himself. It seemed like nonsense to him.
But just when he was about to leave easily, Chen Kuan blocked his way at the door.
"Eunuch Chen, what's the matter?" "Zhang Mao asked curiously.
Chen Kuan said: "Mr. Zhang, Your Majesty has summoned you to Qianqing Palace for a talk. ”
When Zhang Mao heard this, his legs almost went weak.
When he had no other choice, he chose to summon him to Qianqing Palace now. This was not meant to make him look good.
"I am in poor health and almost exhausted today, why can't I wait until next time? "Zhang Mao hurriedly wanted to shirk.
Chen Kuan smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Zhang, do you want to be the first person in the world who dares to resist such an order? See you in the morning and see you in the evening, don’t we all want to see each other? Would it be helpful for you to go back home or find a place to rest? "
"This..."
Zhang Mao was speechless.
Just think about it, go back home, unless you want to rebel, Otherwise the emperor must face it.
"Please. "Chen Kuan then made way.
Zhang Mao looked at the other ministers who were leaving with pleading eyes, but no one paid attention to him.
Zhang Mao was thinking in his heart, Is this a pushover?
You wait one by one, I will make it easier for you!
……
……
< p>In the Palace of QianqingZhu Youtang was sitting there. As soon as Zhang Mao came, he quickly went up and kowtowed. His words were almost the same as before, describing how old and powerless he was. Yes, I hope the emperor will let him live a long life and so on...
Zhu Youtang listened to his nonsense for a long time until Zhang Mao stopped talking.
Zhu Youtang said: " I asked someone to check the accounts of Jingying over the past ten years and found that there were many inconsistencies. Mr. British, do you know what’s going on? "
Zhang Mao was startled.
Immediately he knew that the emperor was going to get serious with him.
"Your Majesty, I don't know this. The internal accounts of the Beijing camp are all handled by the admiral, Zhongguan and others. The veterans rarely have any involvement. Most of the veterans are only responsible for military drills and defense changes.Waiting for things, the old minister is old and has no accounts. The Ministry of Accounts sends people to check every year, and it is true that there is no problem..."
Zhu Youtang heard this. As he spoke, his face became even more displeased.
"In other words, during the years when you were the admiral of the capital camp, Qing? "Zhu Youtang asked.
Zhang Mao was stunned again.
Then he thought that if he said he didn't know, it would be tantamount to dereliction of duty.
To say he knows... is to take bribes and bend the law.
It seems that he has no way forward or retreat, so he can only wait for the emperor to punish him.
Zhang Mao then kowtowed and said: "I am stupid and incompetent. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. "
Zhu Youtang said angrily: "What's the use of just saying this here? You are incompetent, old and foolish, where have those tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver gone? Did all the tens of thousands of stones and hundreds of thousands of stones of food go into the dog's belly? The imperial court has sent people to review the accounts of Jingying over the years. Why did the problem only arise today? Can you tell me? "
"Old minister deserves to die, old minister deserves to die. "Zhang Mao continued to kowtow.
While Zhu Youtang was angry, his mood seemed to have calmed down a lot. He said in a gentle tone: "You are a veteran of the four dynasties. You have told me since the late emperor was here. I must trust you and rely on you. "
Zhang Mao almost burst into tears and said: "I have failed to live up to the great trust of the late emperor. "
Zhu Youtang said: "This time I want to thoroughly investigate the shortcomings in the court. If I find you, I will not investigate. How should I explain it to the people of the world? "
"The old minister pleads guilty and accepts punishment. Even if the old minister dies, he will never be able to protect the kindness of the late emperor and His Majesty. "Zhang Maodao.
Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said: "As much as you can find, you will be refunded. Your garden and other properties, if you rely on this income, you will not be exempted. That's all I can do... If your son and your grandson achieve some military exploits in the northwest and Liaodong, I can give you some reductions and exemptions, just wait. ”
Zhang Mao listened.
What does this mean?
You only fine me money, but you don’t kill me or raid my home, right?
That’s not right.
With all the money I got from corruption, even if my house was confiscated, I wouldn’t be able to pay it back?
That’s why I said, let my son Zhang Rui and my grandson get it back? Zhang Lun can use his military service to pay off his debts... My whole family will have to work for the Ming Dynasty, and we will all be at a loss...
"What, are you not satisfied? "Zhu Youtang said coldly.
"Old minister accepts the order. "Zhang Mao quickly kowtowed again.
Zhu Youtang said to Chen Kuan on the side: "Send him out. The older he gets, the more he will go back! ”
The last words seemed to be the most serious rebuke, making Zhang Mao feel chills running down his spine.
……
……
When Zhang Mao exited the palace, he happened to pass by Yang Peng who had arrived.
Yang Peng entered the palace and immediately brought the emperor a more detailed list of guilty officials and inventory.
Zhu Youtang took it in his hand and looked at it. He pointed at the back of Zhang Mao who had just left the door and said, "Do you know why he came?"
"This slave knows." Yang Peng Don't hide it either.
There is no point in pretending to be confused at this time, the best thing is to let the emperor see that he is capable.
"Do you know what to do?" Zhu Youtang asked again.
Yang Peng said: "I know this."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "It's good that you know it. There are some people who won't bite unless they make him anxious. Same thing. Yes, if something doesn't drive him to a dead end, he won't know what jumping over the wall is... If he really dares to mess around, I will let him know what retribution is."
"Yes. Peng obeyed the leader's orders.
He is very clear about his mission, which is not to let Zhang Mao jump over the wall. Once Zhang Mao plays dirty tricks, sometimes it is indeed not easy to parry.
But having said that, if it had been the previous winter before Zhang Mao went to the northwest, the emperor should have been worried.
But now... Zhang Mao seems to have no teeth.
I heard that he has a high reputation in the military?
No matter how tall you are, how tall is Cai Guogong?
It's just that Zhang Mao has a group of thugs, or he can find a few dead men to do things... Just keep an eye on this kind of thing.
……
……
The cabinet is on duty.
Li Dongyang did not come back with Wang Hao. Wang Hao went to the listening place, while Li Dongyang came straight back and met Liu Jian who was about to go out.
Liu Jian directly handed Li Dongyang a memorandum. Listed above was a list of officials in the Beijing camp investigated by the Ministry of Punishment who were involved in corruption and perversion of the law, as well as some punishment results... The action was not a big one, and Li Dongyang I was a little shocked after reading it.
"Bin, how about the Wenhua Palace?" Liu Jian was about to leave, but when he saw Li Dongyang coming back, he called people in to say a few more words.
Li Dongyang said: "It has been decided to withdraw the troops. There should be no further progress on the grassland battlefield. It depends on whether the troops can be withdrawn smoothly."
"Yes."
Liu Jian seemed to have already expected this result. He said, "Take a look at this again."
Li Dongyang opened it and saw that it was the emperor's report to the ministers involved in the impeachment of Zhang Mao. The official's reply, and it was from Emperor Zhu, wrote two big words "strict investigation".
Simple and clear.
It seemed that Zhang Mao was going to be put to death.
Li Dongyang frowned and said: "Your Majesty is very protective of the British Duke. How could it happen this time..."
Liu Jiandao: "I didn't see it too thoroughly."
Obviously the emperor's reaction this time was a bit excessive.
Li Dongyang said: "Perhaps His Majesty feels that now that the affairs in the capital camp have been settled, even if someone wants to make trouble, they will not be able to make a big fuss. But from what I have seen, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be involved in this matter." If we take it lightly, the final result will be..."
Liu Jiandao: "Isn't it what we wanted?"
"Haha." Li Dongyang smiled.
If the emperor is still as cautious as before, caring about the merits and influence of these old ministers, and not touching them, how can he use these old ministers to attack Zhang Zhou?
The emperor should be conceited and feel that everything is under control, and then let the emperor see the energy behind Zhang Mao and other old men, and let Zhang Zhou know what it means to be strong but not to suppress local snakes, even if you have the emperor's backing , under the hands of these old guys in the capital, it is impossible to take advantage.
Liu Jian asked: "Go to the Ministry of Revenue and check all the accounts of the past few years with the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue. Then walk around Taicang and find everyone you can find. . If Dongchang wants to find someone to investigate the past account books, if it involves Jingying, then... hide it first."
Li Dongyang asked curiously: "This is to help him. "
Liu Jiandao: "Although this incident happened because of Zhang Bingkuan, and Zhang Bingkuan was also the instigator, Zhang Tingmian's failure was mostly due to the fact that some people were bitten by crazy dogs. , if it involves Chaozhong Qingliu, then there is no need."
"I understand."
Li Dongyang is not an ordinary person.
It can be said that the cabinet and traditional civil servants spared no effort in suppressing Zhang Mao. But when Zhang Mao really fell into the trap, these people still wanted to pull Zhang Mao out.
What I want is...
Let Zhang Mao hate only Zhang Zhou and seek revenge from only Zhang Zhou. If Zhang Mao feels that both the government and the public are his opponents, he will If the civil servants don't stand on his side, then Zhang Mao may not dare to jump over the wall.
Unless Zhang Mao feels that there is indeed a way to survive outside the wall, he will choose this path.
......
......
Li Dongyang followed Liu Jian's instructions and went to the Ministry of Revenue and Taicang to help Zhang Mao cover up. Of course, he knew very well that he was It's on the cusp of the storm, so he won't ask in person.
If he has something to do, he can find a guest or some disciples who are old friends. He can just say hello and there will be a lot of people at his disposal.
And you can’t leave any evidence when doing things. It’s about doing things at will, relying entirely on your mind, and never teaching by words or deeds.
By the time he returned home after all this work, it was already night.
But when the acquaintance of the family saw him, he couldn't help but leaned forward and said: "Master, something happened at home. The fourth master's house sent someone to tell him that the fourth master was taken away by the Jinyiwei people. , It seems to be related to some case."
"Huh?"
When Li Dongyang heard this, he was startled at first, and then he seemed to understand that someone was targeting him.
"If Rong Zhi is not in court, how can he be related to the case?" Li Dongyang was very angry.
This is about Li Dongming, Li Dongyang’s fourth brother.
Zhike said: "I don't know, so why don't you go and ask yourself."
Li Dongyang then took a breath and muttered: "Did Zhang Bingkuan notice something? He Is this considered... a breakup? ”
"Master, except for you, no one can rely on the fourth master." Zhike continued to talk.
Li Dongyang said with a dark face: "How can I just go and ask about the Jinyiwei investigation? After tonight, tomorrow... there will definitely be news. Just wait." Recently. The transcoding is serious, which makes us more motivated and updates faster. Please use your little hands to exit the reading mode. Thank you