Chongzhen Daming: Starting from Coal Mountain

Chapter 321 Bodhisattva Heart, Thunder Means

Yuan Pengnian had to endure.

The reason is simple, Chongzhen's "evil deeds" were not made public, nor were they brought out in front of officials and gentlemen, so Yuan Pengnian couldn't use them to attack him.

For example, in the carriage last night, the two of them had completely torn their faces apart.

Yuan Pengnian not only scolded the faint emperor, but even called Chongzhen's name Zhu Youjian directly, which is a crime of disrespect.

But tonight, when he arrived in Piyong, Yuan Pengnian had to respectfully pay homage to Chongzhen: "My minister Yuan Pengnian kowtowed to the Holy One, and the Holy One is blessed and safe."

"Pingshen." Chongzhen suppressed his hands.

Another question and answer session followed.

Also no substance.

The entire interrogation process lasted only half an hour.

When the officials and gentlemen dispersed, they still had something to say.

……

After Qian Qianyi returned to the mansion, he hugged Liu Rushi and said, "Madam, it seems that we have misunderstood the Holy Majesty. The Holy Majesty is not like what Gao Hongtu and the others said, and wants to be the Chongzhen Emperor."

"Master." Liu Rushi struggled lightly, then said coquettishly, "Xing'er is still there."

"What are you afraid of?" Qian Qianyi said with a chuckle, "At worst, I will take Xing'er to fill the house."

After finishing speaking, Qian Qianyi stretched out a hand to Xing'er who was pouring tea at the side, and Xing'er quickly dodged away.

Seeing this, Liu Rushi raised her brows, pinched Qian Qianyi's ears and said angrily, "Qian Muzhai, are you getting bolder?"

"Hey, hey, ma'am, take it easy, it hurts." Qian Qianyi hurriedly begged for mercy, but Liu Rushi didn't really screw it up, it was just fun in the boudoir.

Myolie quickly ran out blushing.

Seeing that the young lady and the master are so affectionate, she is also very happy.

Qian Qianyi hugged Liu Rushi and sat down on his lap, raised and lowered his hands and said with emotion: "I used to hear people say that after the saint went to Meishan and enlightened, it was like a different person. I didn't really believe it, but today I really believe it." , Today's sage is really different from the sage of the past, it's really incomparable, it's like a cloud and mud."

"Is that an exaggeration?" Liu Rushi asked curiously, "Sir, please tell me."

"How should I say this?" Qian Qianyi slowly immersed himself in the memories of the past, "The former Holy Majesty was suspicious, grumpy, mean and unkind, and frequently beat and killed officials in the frontier and even cabinet ministers, but now the Holy Majesty is It is humility and courtesy, benevolence and generosity, and a deep-rooted heart, and it is even more courteous to ministers."

"How big a crime is it to kill the king and conspire against him?"

"Instead of Taizu Emperor Gao, I don't know how many people were killed."

"But the Holy One doesn't even want to build a big prison, let alone such things as Zhu Lian and Gua Man copying."

"Oh, this kind of emperor's husband is only seen in history books. It is said that Song Renzong is like this. It is really a blessing for officials and people to have such a benevolent emperor in the Ming Dynasty."

Liu Rushi tilted his head sideways and said, "And the sage knows how to fight, and this is even better than Song Renzong."

"Oh yes, the sage knows the soldiers." Qian Qianyi sighed, "Before tonight, my husband was worried that the sage would become the second Yongle Emperor after holding the military power, but now I don't have this worry anymore. In this way, a benevolent monarch will use the butcher's knife with caution, and will never commit indiscriminate killing."

Liu Rushi thought thoughtfully: "Is this the heart of a Bodhisattva and the means of thunder?"

Qian Qianyi's eyes lit up and said: "Ma'am, this sentence is very appropriate. Your Majesty is really a bodhisattva with a heart and thunderous methods. By the way, Ma'am, where did you get such a good sentence?"

Liu Rushi said: "I read it from an ancient Buddhist scripture."

"I'll find it later for my husband to have a look." Qian Qianyi said with a low smile, "But now, my husband wants to bring his wife to Wushan and have some fun."

……

At the same time, at Jiang Yueguang's mansion.

Zhang Youyu, Minister of the Household Department, came to find him at night.

"Elder Jiang Ge, what do you think His Majesty's intention is?" Zhang Youyu asked with a frown.

Jiang Yueguang was also at a loss in his heart, but he pretended to be confident on his face: "What else could it be doing? Naturally, it is showing weakness to our Donglin Party."

"Show weakness?" Zhang Youyu said, "Not necessarily."

Jiang Yueguang said: "It also means to comfort us."

"That's true." Zhang Youyu took it for granted when he heard this, "What the Holy Majesty said and did in Piyong Mingtang today does not seem to be fake. In this way, there should be no chance of building a big prison, let alone Zhulian and Guaman. There will be."

"My servant also thinks so." Jiang Yueguang said, "So, don't say those words that are not good for the Holy Majesty, lest these words fail to be fulfilled in the future, and instead damage the reputation of our Donglin Party."

I dare to feel that the rumors against Chongzhen during this period were released by the Donglin Party.

Zhang Youyu thought for a while and asked: "Mr. Jiang Ge, do you want to send someone to ask Mr. Gao Ge again?"

"No need." Jiang Riguang was a little unhappy, why should he ask Gao Hongtu for everything?When I am a display?
Zhang Youyu also realized his slip of the tongue, so he had nothing to say, "Mr. Jiang Ge, the words and deeds of the Holy Majesty in Piyongming Hall today are really touching, and the officials and gentlemen who are watching are deeply moved."

After a short pause, he said again: "Do you think Mr. Gao Ge will be influenced?"

"Zhang Jinghan, what nonsense are you talking about?" Jiang Riguang reprimanded angrily.

"Yes, yes, the officer made a slip of the tongue." Zhang Youyu quickly apologized, said a few words and then left.

Sending Zhang Youyu out of the back door in person, Jiang Riguang looked at the night sky and was thoughtful. Chongzhen's benevolence, righteousness, generosity and discipline really didn't seem to be pretending. Facing such a good emperor, is it really necessary to be so stiff?

What's more, the Holy Majesty did not infringe on the cabinet's power before.

Jiang Yueguang couldn't help but fell into deep thought.

……

At the same time, in a certain dormitory of the Imperial College.

Zhu Cijiong asked Chongzhen puzzled, "Father, don't you really want to reconcile with the Donglin Party?"

"Reconciliation with the Donglin Party?" Chongzhen said coldly, "It is impossible to reconcile with the Donglin Party. It is impossible in this life. If the Donglin Party is not eliminated, the court will never have peace!"

Zhu Cijiong said: "Then why are you being so polite to Gao Hongtu and the others in Biyong Mingtang today?"

"Third Brother, are you stupid?" Zhu Cizhao, who was lying on the bed with his butt hurt, interjected, "Father is acting, and he is doing this to get Gao Hongtu and the others out."

I have to say that Zhu Cizhao is actually quite smart.

Chongzhen laughed and said, "Xiao'er, you are only half right."

Zhu Cizhao pondered for a while, then said with bright eyes: "I understand, my father didn't do this to deceive Gao Hongtu and the four of them, but to make others believe that you, Father, can deceive them."

"I still can't tell the whole story." Chongzhen continued, "Father did this to calm people's hearts, because the things to be done next cannot be done without the support of officials, gentry and common people."

The next thing to do is to recruit soldiers on a large scale, reform the Guozijian, and vigorously develop industries. None of these three things would be possible without the full support of Jiangnan officials and common people.

In particular, the third step is to vigorously develop industries, which cannot be achieved without the participation of the gentry and common people.

If you take advantage of the regicide case to get involved, or even engage in melon and vine copying, you will be happy, and you will be relieved, but it will inevitably make the people of the court and the people fluctuate. At that time, you will recruit soldiers, reform the Imperial College, and vigorously develop industries. The difficulty is much greater, which is not a good thing for Daming.

The sky is big and the earth is big, and the great cause of the Northern Expedition is the biggest.

At this stage, the focus is on the Northern Expedition to build slaves!

However, Zhu Cijiong still had question marks on his forehead.

Zhu Cijiong said: "Father, you understand the peace of mind, but what's the matter with making others believe that you can tell Gao Hongtu and the four of them?"

Chongzhen laughed and said, "You will know tomorrow night."

Zhu Cijiong then turned his gaze to Zhu Cizheng: "Fifth Brother, tell me."

"Father, can my minister speak?" Zhu Cizhao asked Chongzhen.

"I can't." Chongzhen shook his head and said, "If you have the ability, you can think for yourself. If you don't, you can wait until tomorrow night when the answer is revealed. As for now, just sleep honestly."

……

Time soon came to the evening of the next day.

Reputable officials and gentry from the entire Nanjing city came to the Piyong Ming Hall of the Imperial College one after another, and those scholars had already surrounded the square outside the Ming Hall.

It is not quite correct to say that the water is not leaking.

Because the four passages to and from Piyongming Hall are unimpeded.

At Xuzheng, the sky was completely dark, and Gao Hongtu, Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong, and Li Jinglian, teachers and students, were once again taken out of the bright hall, still confined to the four corners.

After waiting for a short time, Chongzhen also entered the Ming Hall with his internal guards.

The next procedural road was no different from last night. The servant moved a screen to surround the center of the Ming Hall, and lit candles inside, and then the candles outside the Ming Hall were blown out one after another.

Only the candles in the screen were still on, and the figures of Chongzhen, Gao Hongtu, and the servants and guards standing behind Chongzhen were clearly projected on the screen.

In the candlelight, Gao Hongtu bowed to Chongzhen: "The minister Gao Hongtu kowtowed to the Holy One, and the Holy One is blessed and safe."

"Pingshen." Chongzhen said with a sullen hand, "Mr. Gao Ge, tonight is the last time to ask questions. If today is missed, the regicide and treason case will be exposed. Anyway, the principal culprit Du Hongyu has committed suicide, and the thieves who participated in the regicide are all gone. They were all killed by the navy, and the thieves who should be punished have already received their due punishment."

"And, I also believe that Yuan Pengnian is innocent."

"As for Gaoge Laoyou, it is even more impossible for you to participate in such a rebellious thing as killing the king."

"Your Majesty sees thousands of miles away." Gao Hongtu clasped his hands and said, "The old minister and his four disciples thank the Holy Majesty for his trust. The old ministers and others can only work hard and do their best."

The three of Yuan Pengnian outside the Ming Hall also bowed to the ground.

Then, Chongzhen asked Gao Hongtu a few more simple questions.

Gao Hongtu also answered one by one, and there were no surprises during the period.

Just when the officials and gentlemen who were watching thought that this was the end of the day, Chongzhen suddenly said: "Mr. Gao Ge, I still have a few heartfelt words to say to you."

Gao Hongtu cupped his hands and said, "The old minister is all ears."

Chongzhen said: "When I was boating on Xuanwu Lake that day, I had an argument with Mr. Gao Ge about the national policy. In the past two days, I have some new ideas and want to discuss with you again."

Gao Hongtu said: "Has your Majesty finally figured it out?"

"That's what I think." Chongzhen said noncommittally, "Using culture to control military has the advantages of using culture to control military, but the equal emphasis on civil and military also has the advantages of both. I think the two are indispensable."

Hearing this, the civil servants and gentlemen who were watching pricked up their ears.

what's the situation?Didn't you agree to go to trial?How to discuss national policy?
And it is also a major national policy such as "using culture to control military force" and "emphasizing both civil and military affairs"!

Now not only the officials and gentlemen who were watching were dumbfounded, but Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian were also dumbfounded. What the hell is Zhu Youjian doing?Discuss this with your mentor at a time like this?

Not to mention Yuan Pengnian and the three of them, Gao Hongtu was also a little confused.

Because that day in Xuanwu Lake, Chongzhen had indeed mentioned this to him.

Gao Hongtu even had some doubts. Could it be that Chongzhen really didn't plan to pursue it?
At that moment Gao Hongtu cupped his hands and said, "Are the two indispensable? The old minister would like to hear the details."

"Using culture to control military forces can put an end to the usurpation of power by military officials and the separatism of feudal towns, but it will also lead to the weakening of the Central Plains Dynasty's military force and lose its deterrent effect on the surrounding barbarians. The scourge of separatism, both have their disadvantages but also their advantages."

"If you can take advantage of both strengths, you can develop strengths and avoid weaknesses."

"However, how should we maximize our strengths and avoid our weaknesses? That's what I think."

"Why not separate the civilian and military systems so that the two do not belong to each other."

Hearing this, Gao Hongtu actually listened in and asked, "How to separate?"

Chongzhen said: "The civil service system is in charge of the cabinet. The selection, assessment, and dismissal of officials are all adjudicated by the cabinet. The decrees of all provinces, governments, states and counties are also handed over to the cabinet and the prime minister. The emperor is not allowed to intervene."

"Where are the generals? Doesn't the selection of generals belong to the Ministry of War?" Gao Hongtu was a little fascinated.

The emperor must not interfere with the administration of the cabinet. Isn't this the cabinet they are striving for?

"Not to the Ministry of War." Chongzhen waved his hand and said, "The Ministry of War is only responsible for the construction, like Xuzhou and other towns all over the provinces of Ming Dynasty, which are assessed and checked by the Ministry of War, but the Ministry of War has no right to deploy troops."

"The generals are under the emperor's control, and the cabinet must not interfere."

"When there is a foreign war, the emperor dispatches troops from various provinces of the Ming Dynasty, and puts them under the command of generals to fight abroad."

"After the war is over, the soldiers of the town will belong to the towns of the provinces, and the generals will also belong to the court. In this way, the generals will not be able to get along with the soldiers for a long time, and they will be free from the hidden danger of separatism."

Hearing this, the officials and gentlemen who were watching were already in an uproar.

It was too unexpected, too sudden, the Holy One brought this up so suddenly, was he really unprepared?
Gao Hongtu was also completely attracted, because Chongzhen's proposal really surprised him.

Gao Hongtu then asked: "The Holy One just said that the war is going on abroad. Does the power to start the war belong to the cabinet or to the emperor? And is the money and food paid by the Ministry of Households or from the internal funds?"

"It depends on the nature of the war." Chongzhen said, "If the Ming Dynasty is invaded by foreign enemies, or if there is a rebellion, the right to initiate the war belongs to the emperor, but the money and food will be paid by the household department."

[Note: I wrote this exactly [-] words, but if I break it here, I will probably be sent a blade, so I will continue to write]

"If the Ming Dynasty expanded its territory abroad, the final right to initiate the war belongs to the cabinet. Without the permission of the cabinet, the emperor has no right to launch foreign wars. In addition, the money and food for foreign wars will be paid by the emperor's internal funds. Correspondingly, the money and food obtained for foreign wars It is also controlled by the emperor's internal funds, and the cabinet cannot fight for it."

The officials and gentlemen who were watching began to make quick calculations.

The right to fight against invasion and suppress rebellion belongs to the emperor, which is fine.

It would be good if the right to initiate foreign wars belongs to the cabinet. This can effectively curb the emperor's personal ambitions and prevent the empire from collapsing due to militarism.

Chongzhen also became a little excited when he said this, and suddenly got up.

While pacing in the screen, Chongzhen said again: "Mr. Gaoge, this is just a rough idea of ​​mine. There are still many detailed rules that need to be improved. Right now, Mr. Shige is dismissed from his post at home. There is a shortage of people in the cabinet. You will come back to the cabinet tomorrow." Let’s be in charge, cooperate with Jie Ge and Lu Ge to perfect the detailed rules..."

Maybe it was because I was so excited that I stomped out the candle.

The screen suddenly became dark, and then Chongzhen let out a low cry, as if he stepped on the air and fell down.

"Long Live Lord!" Gao Qiqian's and Lu Jiude's screams sounded in the darkness, as well as the clang of weapons being unsheathed. Without thinking about it, one could guess that it must be a few barons of Yi Ding drawing their swords for vigilance.

The officials and gentlemen who were watching felt their hearts tighten but they dared not move.

In the darkness, Gao Hongtu's concerned greetings sounded: "My lord, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Chongzhen's voice sounded quickly, "Don't be alarmed, gentlemen."

After a while, the candles in the screen lit up again, and Chongzhen had already sat back in his seat, and the barons of Yiding behind him had also returned to their seats.

"As long as there is no hindrance to your Majesty." It was Gao Hongtu who spoke.

After finishing speaking, Gao Hongtu also sat back in his seat.

From the projection on the screen, the official Jin Gentleman who was watching could see clearly.

After a pause, Chongzhen said again: "Old Gaoge, you don't feel resentful towards me because of the regicide case, so you don't want to go back to the cabinet to watch things?"

"My lord, old minister..." Gao Hongtu's voice sounded a little choked.

Gao Hongtu seemed to be moved by Chongzhen, but everyone felt that it was normal. After such a thing as regicide and treason, the Holy Majesty still trusted Mr. Gao Ge so much. Mr. Gao Ge should be grateful.

At this time, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian, who were outside Yongyong, suddenly changed their expressions.

"Teacher!" Li Jinglian shouted suddenly, "Teacher, you must be afraid of what people say!"

Hearing this, everyone including Yuan Pengnian looked at Li Jinglian in unison.

However, Gao Hongtu inside the screen was not affected at all, he suddenly avoided the seat and knelt down on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "My lord, this old minister has owed the Holy Grace, the old minister has indeed owed the Holy Grace..."

Chongzhen hurried forward to help Gao Hongtu: "Why is Mr. Gao Ge like this?"

"Men, you must be afraid of what people say! You must be afraid of what others say!" Liu Zhengzong also yelled, "Men, you must be afraid of what people say!"

However, it was useless, Gao Hongtu was completely immersed in his emotions, and said with a sob: "I heard the words from the heart of the Holy Majesty today, and this old minister also has some words from the heart to say to the Holy Majesty."

Hearing this, Yuan Pengnian finally came to his senses, and the hairs all over his body stood on end in an instant.

"Teacher!" Yuan Pengnian was not as particular as Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian, and he shouted directly, "Please be careful with your words!"

However, it was already too late, Gao Hongtu said with a choked voice, "My lord, Du Hongyu murdered the king in Yangzhou to plot rebellion, and Zuo Guang planted his own organs to frame Ma Minglu and Zhan Yangzhi before, all of which were instigated by the guilty officials."

"What?" Now it was no longer an uproar, and the whole Biyong was in commotion.

This was too sudden, too unexpected, did Gao Hongtu discover his conscience?

Yuan Pengnian, Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian were even going crazy, desperately trying to break free from control.

The officials and gentlemen who were watching seemed to be showing signs of rioting, but fortunately, the gentlemen Qin Wang in the square outside reacted quickly, rushed in in a line, and controlled the situation in one fell swoop.

Inside the screen, Chongzhen also seemed to be stupefied: "Old Gao Ge, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Your Majesty, the guilty minister is not talking nonsense." Gao Hongtu kowtowed, "The guilty minister is telling the truth. Du Hongyu and Zuo Guangxian were both ordered by the old man, and those who framed, framed and murdered the king are all criminal ministers, but The guilty minister did not do this for his own selfishness, but out of a public mind. The guilty minister was worried that the Holy Majesty would resort to military violence and the continuation of the Ming Dynasty, so he had no choice but to make such a bad move, but today he heard the words of the Holy Majesty's lungs, and the guilty minister knew I was wrong, and I was very wrong..."

Speaking of this, Gao Hongtu was already sobbing, and it seemed that he really regretted it.

"But, it's not right." Chongzhen still seemed a little unconvinced, "Du Hongyu said it was Yuan Pengnian's instigation."

Gao Hongtu cried and said: "My lord, Yuan Pengnian is a disciple of the criminal minister. Du Hongyu was indeed instructed by Yuan Pengnian, but Yuan Pengnian was instructed by the criminal minister."

"Gao Hongtu, are you crazy?" Yuan Pengnian couldn't help it anymore, and his teacher didn't even shout.

"Are you going to ruin the efforts of our Confucian sages for hundreds of years? Do you know that if you do this, you will ruin the plan of civil servants to govern the country?"

"Do you know how big a crime it is to kill a king?"

"Do you still expect Zhu Youjian to show kindness and let you go?"

Liu Zhengzong and Li Jinglian also completely lost their minds and roared angrily.

"Gao Hongtu, are you a fool? How could you be so confused?"

"Gao Hongtu, you also believe Zhu Youjian's nonsense, it's just his trick!"

"Old man, Gao Hongtu, you old man!" The last blow came from Zuo Guangxian, the censor of Zuoqin. I can't see through it, I Zuo Guangxian was really blind, and I listened to your bewitching to frame Ma Mingtao and Zhan Yangzhi! I hate it, I really hate it!"

Listening to Zuo Guangxian and Yuan Pengnian accusing Gao Hongtu there, the officials and gentlemen who were watching were dumbfounded.

This is too explosive, right?So, is it true that Gao Hongtu ordered Zuo Guang to frame Ma Mingpao and Zhan Yangzhi first?Is it true that Gao Hongtu ordered Yuan Pengnian to kill the king under the guise of Songjiang guerrilla Du Hongyu?
However, members of the Donglin Party like Jiang Yueguang and Zhang Youyu turned pale.

Amid the sound of breathing in, the candles around Piyong lit up one by one.

Immediately afterwards, the four screens in the center of the Ming Hall were also removed one by one.

[Note: The [-]-word chapter is equivalent to the fourth update today, begging for a monthly ticket]

(End of this chapter)