prosperous age

The next day, the Forbidden City Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Longqing was summoning Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin. They were brought here by the eunuchs of the palace not long after they were in the cabinet.

For this summoning, Emperor Longqing ordered the Supervisor of Rituals to move all the memorials to impeach the Liao King that had been accumulated in the past few days here.

"What's going on in the court now? The ministers are very idle, and their eyes are fixed on the affairs of the Liao king, and they don't care about their official duties?"

Emperor Longqing spoke to the two cabinet ministers.

Chen Yiqin lowered his head, although the cabinet did not delay the official business, the emperor's words were also reasonable.

The ministers are all thinking about how to write impeachment memorials, so naturally they have less time to think and deal with government affairs.

Chen Yiqin remained silent, and Li Chunfang, as the chief assistant, naturally had to answer.

"I would like to report to Your Majesty, I dare not delay official duties for a while, but the Liao King committed too many crimes, which made people angry, so my colleagues wrote the memorial overnight, hoping that His Majesty will severely punish the Liao King."

Li Chunfang said that the ministers wrote the memorials at night, at home, when they were resting, so they did not delay the government affairs.

"Okay, let's not talk about this. Take a look at the memorials that have been sent to the palace in the past few days."

Speaking of this, Emperor Longqing kept piling up the memorials beside him like a hill and said bitterly: "Those officials, can't tolerate a clan like that?"

"Your Majesty, the matter concerning the King of Liao has been made clear in the memorial. The King of Liao has brought trouble to Jiangling Mansion, and the anger and resentment caused by him in the local area has reached the point where it has to be dealt with.

When the news was sent back to the capital, all the officials were terrified, they really didn't expect such a bad thing to happen, that's why there was a turbulent discussion.

I also ask Your Majesty to consider the common people, severely punish the Liao King, and return the place to a bright future. "

Having said this, Li Chunfang knelt down on the ground, prostrate and said.

Li Chunfang knelt down, and Chen Yiqin also knelt down, "Your Majesty, please punish the Liao King severely, rectify the clan, and let the common people in the world bathe in the mighty grace of the emperor."

There were many clans in the Ming Dynasty, and there were also many brutal people like King Liao.

Chen Yiqin felt that the King of Liao case could be used to severely crack down on the clans that were misbehaving in various places, so that they would reduce their sins. This is what scholars should do.

"Liao Wang's matter, I have read the memorial of the imperial envoy sent by the court, and I am still in a dilemma about how to deal with it. What is the cabinet's suggestion?"

Although Emperor Longqing had thoughts in his heart, he couldn't let him say these things. It would be better for other people to say them, and then he would follow the trend.

The Qianqing Palace was discussing how to deal with the Liao King, and in the cabinet, Wei Guangde also frowned at the statement made by the household department.

As the end of the year approached, the imperial court's finances became more and more difficult, but under such circumstances, the inner court sent a note to the Ministry of Households, requesting the purchase of colored gemstones and pearls within three days.

Ma Sen, Minister of the Household Department, was of course extremely reluctant. After discussing with the officials of the Household Department, he made a statement, describing the financial pressure of the Household Department, admonishing how much gems and pearls he bought last year.

Gao Yao is undoubtedly the most outstanding among these household ministers. He managed the household department in the last years of Jiajing in an orderly manner, and still has a little accumulation.

Of course, this accumulation is hard-earned from deficit finance, and the purpose is naturally to prepare for a rainy day.

However, this is how the Ming Dynasty still operates.

And this Mason has made some achievements. Although Wei Guangde thinks it is not good, but he is outspoken, at least he is not a flatterer.

In the past two years, he has beaten Emperor Longqing and the palace eunuchs two or three times in a row, just to spend less money.

But doing this all the time is not a long-term solution. Sooner or later, he will be disliked by the emperor, and eventually he will be dismissed from office.

Looking at Wei Guangde, he also knows that Ma Sen really has nothing to do with the current situation.

The household department should have money, but they dare not take it out easily, it is all for emergencies.

The reason why Gao Yao was able to get money out of the Ministry of Accounts at the beginning was actually the acquiescence of Xu Jie, Yuan Wei and others.

Emperor Jiajing's health was deteriorating, and the imperial court accelerated the construction of the imperial mausoleum, and had to prepare money for his death.

There are some things I dare not say, but the people below must do them.

But the current situation is different from that at the beginning. Ma Sen is still saving money for the Ministry of Households, but he can't explain what to do.

Wei Guangde did not draft Ma Sen's memorial, but planned to hand it over to Li Chunfang later, and let him decide what to do.

Chen Qing is to tell the emperor to know something, and the cabinet does not need to draft it.

However, Wei Guangde felt that it was necessary to let the other cabinet ministers know about the current situation of the household department.

At least, there was nothing inappropriate about Ma Sen's tenure. When the emperor was dissatisfied with him and wanted to punish him, the cabinet ministers had to say more good things to save him.

He didn't know that Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin were coming out of Qianqing Palace at this time, and they had already told Emperor Longqing about the current court situation and analyzed the possible impact of different punishments.

Emperor Longqing's indecision was vividly displayed at this moment.

He wanted to seize this opportunity to deal with a feudal lord once and for all, but he was hesitant and worried that his reputation would be damaged. Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin had analyzed the impact, he was still undecided.

"Come here, go to the cabinet to announce Wei Guangde's audience."

Find someone to consult when you are undecided, and make a decision after listening and seeing more.

Just as Wei Guangde knew that Li Shoufu had been sent to the palace, he was still waiting for someone to come back, so he sent the household department's petition to let him have a look, and then the eunuch in the palace arrived.

"Your Majesty wants to see me? Where are the Chief Assistant and the Second Assistant?"

Hearing the oral order delivered by the servant, Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, then hastily followed him out of the cabinet and went to Qianqing Palace.

Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin left first, their legs and feet were inferior to the servant's, so they were overtaken halfway.

Now when they were about to return to the cabinet, the two of them were still discussing to go back, so they vented to Zhang Juzheng, Yin Shizhen and others, and saw Wei Guangde leaving Wenyuan Pavilion with a small servant.

The three of them met each other and greeted each other, just talking about it, Chen Yiqin knew that Emperor Longqing asked Wei Guangde to make up his mind for him.

Earlier in the palace, the two of them had already sensed that the emperor wanted to exterminate the country, and did not consider re-selecting someone to inherit the Liao clan.

This is a good thing, the two of them naturally tried their best to facilitate this matter, but Emperor Longqing didn't make a prompt decision.

With the servants present, it was naturally difficult for them to tell Wei Guangde what was said in the palace just now. Chen Yiqin just moved his lips and said the word "Qu Guo". I can see God's will.

Of course Wei Guangde saw Chen Yiqin's mouth opening and closing, as if he was saying something, but he didn't hear the sound.

Seeing the little servant next to him, and the fact that they had just come out of the palace, Wei Guangde knew that it was Chen Yiqin who was conveying a certain meaning to him.

Following behind the little waiter, he hurried to Qianqing Palace, his mouth also moved like Chen Yiqin's, guessing what he meant.

After trying a few times, he really got a clue of the way. After all, the biggest focus of the current court is the affairs of King Liao.

"Eliminate the country? Your Majesty really has such thoughts?"

When Chen Yiqin and the others came out of the palace, when they saw him, they said "Qiguo" to remind him.

In the previous two cabinet meetings on the Liao Palace, no one mentioned "removing the country", and only Emperor Longqing could bring it up.

Wei Guangde had this preconceived notion, so when he saw Emperor Longqing, his mood was already settled.

After Wei Guangde entered the palace to salute, Emperor Longqing pointed to the pile of memorials and talked about the King of Liao as before, and finally asked: "Shan Loe, you and I have known each other for many years, and I have always trusted you, tell me Say, what do you think is the most appropriate way to deal with King Liao."

Emperor Longqing asked the question straight to the point, which surprised Wei Guangde a little.

"Your Majesty, are you asking me what crime do you think the King of Liao deserves?"

Wei Guangde asked cautiously.

Emperor Longqing frowned first, then nodded, "Exactly what I mean."

"I have seen the memorials selected by the Hong Dynasty earlier. It can be said that I hate the crimes committed by the Liao King. If it is an ordinary noble, it should be punished."

Wei Guangde replied.

"But he is a clan, a vassal."

Emperor Longqing still frowned and said.

"It is precisely because of this that the minister said separately.

The king of Liao deserves to die for his crimes, but because of the relationship between the clan, His Majesty thinks of family affection, he can forgive him, and the death penalty can be avoided, and he will be imprisoned by the high wall of Fengyang, and he will never get out. "

Wei Guangde continued.

"Cutting the rank, imprisoning, is this what you mean?"

Emperor Longqing frowned, and then said: "Yes, the high wall is a place that all clans fear, and this punishment is already very heavy.

At the beginning, because King Hui had received his father's order, he chose to die and was unwilling to go to that place. "

Emperor Longqing had an impression of the high wall in Fengyang. When he was still in Yuqi, when it was the most difficult time, he wondered if his final destination would be there.

In particular, the right to inherit the Great Treasure should be superior to that of his brother, King Jing. If the younger brother became the emperor, it would be very difficult for him as a brother.

Moreover, at that time, the relationship between his family and Yan Shifan was on the verge of becoming fiery. Even if King Jing didn't do it, Yan Shifan would never let him go.

Unless he retreats bravely and leaves the capital before the candidate is determined by the prince.

Fortunately, amidst his hesitation, he finally waited for his father's decision to let King Jing take over.

"I know what you mean, and it's very close to my heart."

Emperor Longqing finally showed a smile on his face, although he seemed a little disappointed.

Seeing the eyes, Wei Guangde's heart skipped a beat.

"Eat the king's salary, and be loyal to the king, this is what a minister should do."

Wei Guangde opened his mouth to speak, but he immediately said: "I heard that His Majesty ordered the Ministry of Households to purchase colored gemstones and pearls within three days?"

"Huh? How do you know? Mason went to the cabinet?"

Emperor Longqing's decree to the Ministry of Household Affairs was notified directly by the inner court. It was said to be a decree, but it was not an imperial decree, because it did not go through the cabinet and the six departments.

"The household department submitted a statement, detailing the income and expenditure of this year's household department."

Hearing what Wei Guangde said, Emperor Longqing didn't know what the Ministry of Finance was thinking. Didn't he just lay out the accounts and say that the Ministry of Finance had no money and wanted to disobey the order?

Thinking that a few months ago, he had to change the tents, buy gold and wood, and was refuted by the household department for repairing the palace, and he became more and more dissatisfied with Ma Sen's attitude.

"I'm trying to show you shame by rejecting you several times in a row."

At this time, Emperor Longqing thought bitterly in his heart, and he had already buried in his heart the desire to find a chance to deal with Ma Sen.

However, the Minister of Punishment had to be well-known, and he could not use this incident to punish Ma Sen, otherwise the memorials would flood the Qianqing Palace in the next moment, and they were all memorials that he should scold himself and the eunuchs around him.

Emperor Longqing liked face, so of course he didn't want to be criticized by others.

Although he doesn't need to read it, the swearing memorials are piled up there. You can pretend not to see it, but you know it in your heart, and it's quite crooked.

"His Majesty."

Seeing the emperor's unkind expression, Wei Guangde sighed in his heart, even if he didn't talk about it today, he would know about it in the afternoon or tomorrow, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I think the Ministry of Accounts has already lost its income and expenditure this year, and I really can't afford it." silver.

However, the minister thought of something. "

After speaking, Wei Guangde did not continue speaking immediately, but looked around.

Emperor Longqing summoned him today, but he did not dismiss the eunuchs around him.

It seems a bit embarrassing to say that expelling the country is good for the court, let alone let those too listen to it, who knows if it will spread.

The less people know about this kind of thing, the better.

The word spread that the emperor and his face were not good.

Emperor Longqing knew in his heart that Wei Guangde wanted to say something confidential and it would be inconvenient for people around him to hear him, so he nodded and said: "You go out first, you are not allowed to come in unless you are told."

"Yes."

Teng Xiang, Meng Chong and others all bowed to receive the order, then quickly exited the palace and closed the door.

"Shan Loan, if you have anything to say, say it now."

Emperor Longqing said: "There is no such thing as a relationship between you and my ministers. I know you, so just speak freely."

"His Majesty."

Wei Guangde bowed at this moment and said: "I don't know what your Majesty thinks about the cutting of feudal clans?"

Wei Guangde and Emperor Longqing are used to knowing everything without saying anything, so Wei Guangde directly threw a bomb.

Cutting the feudal clan was a very serious political event in the Ming Dynasty. At the beginning, Emperor Jianwen's method of cutting the feudal clan was too cruel and was collectively opposed by the Zhu family. Zhu Di, the king of Yan, took the opportunity to rebel successfully.

During the whole process, all the vassal kings who led the troops, except for the king of Liao, almost did not make any moves.

And the action of the king of Liao was only to gather his troops, and he did not take military action against Beijing City, although military pressure existed.

Emperor Longqing rolled his eyes, he didn't understand why Wei Guangde suddenly changed the topic to the cutting of feudal vassals, the current situation is completely different from that of Emperor Jianwen.

"The Taizu broke the soil and sealed the borders, and made all his uncles kings, and sent them to all parts of the country. Of course it is good to be responsible for guarding the borders."

This matter, can not say wrong, can only say right.

"If that's the case, then why did you decide to cut down the vassalage in the first place?"

Wei Guangde smiled and continued: "Actually, enfeoffing vassal kings is beneficial to the stability of the country, but it is not conducive to the centralization of power, and will further weaken the emperor's control over the various state capitals.

Even today, for example, officials in Yunnan, except for the chief envoys and other important officials, are appointed by the imperial court, and most of the small local officials and officials are from the Mu Palace. "

"It's different now."

Emperor Longqing frowned and said.

"It's different. The rights are not as great as before, but the financial burden on the imperial court is more terrible than the power."

Wei Guangde answered immediately.

"Back then, Taizu was wise and powerful, but he never thought that the imperial court's finances would be overwhelmed by the skyrocketing Lumi.

The Chen Qingchen of the Ministry of Finance carefully read it, and if the Lumi method of the Hongwu period is maintained, the Ministry of Accounting will not be short of money for His Majesty to buy gems and pearls, but..."

When Wei Guangde said this, he stopped talking.