The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

After hearing what Li Yun said, Li Dongyang felt furious.

Are these martial artists mentally ill, or are they so superstitious about the cannons made by Zhang Bingkuan? Why do they keep talking about setting up a stronghold on the grassland?

Even if you can really hold on to the grassland, have you ever thought about what you will eat and drink on the grassland?
How is this supply line maintained?
Are we going to let you herd sheep and turn you into a nomadic army? Are you all brainless?

"We'll discuss this later." Zhu Youtang said, "This battle is almost over, and it's time to withdraw the troops and finish the autumn harvest. This year, reports from various places say that the harvest is pretty good. In addition to promoting new crops in Liaodong, they are also being promoted in Sanbian and Xuanda. Let's try out the yields of these new crops first."

Li Dongyang got even angrier when he heard this.

It is really annoying that Zhang Bingkuan said that he would change the crops that have been cultivated in China for thousands of years, and he seemed to be justified in doing so.

Can you, Zhang Bingkuan, really go against the will of heaven?

"Your Majesty," Li Dongyang said, "In my opinion, if the new crops in various places are not well cultivated, or the crops cannot provide food for the people and soldiers in the army, they should be cancelled next year."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Youtang frowned.

Li Dongyang said: "In my opinion, the output of the land is related to the livelihood of the people. If it is changed rashly, it will only backfire."

Zhu Youtang asked curiously, "I have tasted the new crops. They are very filling and delicious. They are also very productive. Why don't we plant them?"

"Your Majesty, we cannot listen to others, but should..."

"Enough!" Zhu Youtang said, "I know what you mean. You mean, I have only tasted the special tribute, and have never eaten what the common people eat. Then after the fields in various places produce this year, bring some directly from the fields. I will eat it myself, and you can taste it yourself! Is this okay? Come here first and send a message to the northwest, asking them to withdraw their troops."

Having said this, 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, they stood up and prepared to leave.

Wang Ao said to Li Dongyang: "Why are you so persistent? Shouldn't we look at the results first in everything?"

What I mean is, we were just having a good meeting, and since Zhang Zhou wasn't around, we had a chance to have a deeper communication with the emperor, but you insisted on saying something unpleasant, making the emperor feel annoyed, and we ended up parting on bad terms.

If this continues, sooner or later it will be like the Chenghua period, where the emperor does not attend court and it is difficult for ministers to see the emperor.

Li Dongyang said: "Jizhi, with your knowledge, do you also think that the grain farming method of China since ancient times is wrong and needs to be corrected?"

Wang Ao said, "It is not right to just follow the old ways. If this matter was pushed forward by others, would you feel better?"

It's almost like saying that you are targeting Zhang Bingkuan, the person, not the matter.

"Hmph!" Li Dongyang made a sound from his throat, appearing very angry.

Obviously, from the perspective of a traditional Confucian scholar, moderation and conservatism are ingrained in his bones. It is impossible to change them, as that would be tantamount to subverting his outlook on life.

If political opponents want to make some changes, it will be even more unbearable.

……

……

A meeting within the palace ended almost unhappily.

Zhang Mao stood up leisurely, feeling extremely light. Things like being sick, old age, and lack of strength seemed like nonsense to him.

But just when he was about to leave so easily, Chen Kuan blocked his way at the door.

"Eunuch Chen, is there something wrong?" Zhang Mao asked curiously.

Chen Kuan said, "Master Zhang, His Majesty has summoned you to the Qianqing Palace to have a chat."

When Zhang Mao heard this, his legs almost went limp.

Why choose now to summon him to the Qianqing Palace without choosing any other time? Isn't it obvious that they want to make him pay?

"I am not feeling well and am almost exhausted today. Why can't we wait until next time?" Zhang Mao tried to refuse in a hurry.

Chen Kuan smiled bitterly and said, "Master Zhang, do you want to be the first person in the world who dares to disobey the emperor's order? It doesn't matter whether we meet sooner or later. Would it be helpful for you to go back to your mansion or find a place to rest?"

"This……"

Zhang Mao was speechless.

Come to think of it, if I go back to the palace, unless I want to rebel, I will have to face the emperor.

"Please." Chen Kuan immediately made way.

Zhang Mao looked at the other ministers who were about to leave with a pleading look, but no one paid any attention to him.

Zhang Mao was thinking in his heart, is this a case of everyone pushing down the wall when it falls?
Just wait and see, I’m going to make things difficult for you!

……

……

In the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang was sitting there, and when Zhang Mao arrived, he immediately went up to kowtow, and what he said was almost the same as before, describing how old he was, how powerless he was, and hoping that the emperor would let him live out his days in peace...

Zhu Youtang listened to his nonsense for a long time until Zhang Mao stopped talking.

Zhu Youtang said, "I have had people check the accounts of the Beijing Camp over the past decade or so and found many discrepancies. Duke Ying, do you know what's going on?"

Zhang Mao was startled.

Then he knew that the emperor was going to get serious with him.

"Your Majesty, I don't know. The accounts of the Beijing Camp are all managed by the Admiral and the eunuchs. I rarely ask about them. I am mostly responsible for military training and rotations. I am old and frail, and I don't have much to do with the accounts. The Ministry of Revenue sends people to check every year, and there have indeed been no problems..."

After hearing these words, Zhu Youtang's face became even more displeased.

"In other words, during the years that you were the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp, you were unaware of matters such as the procurement of military equipment, including all aspects of military consumption?" Zhu Youtang asked.

Zhang Mao was stunned again.

Then I thought that if I said I didn't know, it would be tantamount to dereliction of duty.

To say that you knew about it... that is corruption and abuse of power.

It seemed as if he had no way to advance or retreat, and could only wait for the emperor to punish him.

Zhang Mao immediately kowtowed and said, "I am an old minister who is incompetent and incompetent. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Zhu Youtang said angrily, "What's the point of just saying this? You are incompetent and old, where did the tens of thousands of taels of silver go? Did the tens of thousands of dan of grain go to the dogs? The court has sent people to review the accounts of the Beijing camp every year, why did it go wrong only today? Can you tell me?"

"This old minister deserves to die. This old minister deserves to die." Zhang Mao continued to kowtow.

Zhu Youtang was angry, but then his emotions seemed to calm down a lot, and he said in a gentle tone: "You are a veteran minister of four dynasties. Since the time of the late emperor, I have told you to trust you and rely on you."

Zhang Mao almost burst into tears as he said, "I, your old minister, have failed the late emperor's trust."

Zhu Youtang said, "This time I want to thoroughly investigate the malpractices in the court. If I stop investigating after finding you, how can I explain this to the people of the world?"

"I, an old minister, plead guilty and accept the punishment. Even if I die, I cannot deny the great grace of the late emperor and Your Majesty." Zhang Mao said.

Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said, "We will refund as much as we find out. Your garden and other properties, if earned through these, will not be exempted. This is all I can do... If your son and grandson achieve some military merits in the northwest and Liaodong, I can give you some exemptions. Just wait."

Zhang Mao heard it.

what does this mean?
You're just going to fine me, not kill me or confiscate my house, right?
No. With the money I have gained through corruption and abuse of power, even if my house is raided, I still can’t pay it back, right?
So, let my son Zhang Rui and grandson Zhang Lun use their military achievements to pay off the debt? That won't work... My whole family will have to work for the Ming Dynasty, and we will lose a lot...

"Why, are you not satisfied?" Zhu Youtang said coldly.

"I accept your order." Zhang Mao kowtowed again quickly.

Zhu Youtang said to Chen Kuan standing beside him: "Send him out, he's getting older and worse!"

The last words seemed to be the most serious rebuke, which made Zhang Mao feel a chill down his spine.

……

……

When Zhang Mao was leaving the hall, he happened to pass by Yang Peng who was arriving.

Yang Peng entered the hall and immediately brought the emperor a more detailed list of criminals and investigations.

Zhu Youtang took it in his hand and looked at it, then pointed at Zhang Mao's back as he walked out the door and said, "Do you know why he's here?"

"I know." Yang Peng did not hide it.

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 understand."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "It's good to know. Some people won't bite others unless they are pushed to the edge. Similarly, some things won't make him jump over the wall unless he is pushed to the edge... If he really dares to mess around, I will let him know what retribution is."

"Yes." Yang Peng bowed his head and accepted the order.

He was very clear about his mission, which was to not let Zhang Mao become desperate. Once Zhang Mao played dirty tricks, it would be difficult to defend himself sometimes.

But then again, if this had happened before Zhang Mao set out on his expedition to the northwest the previous winter, 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 army?

No matter how high he is, can he be higher than the Duke of Cai?

It's nothing more than that Zhang Mao has a group of thugs, or he can find a few assassins to do the job...this kind of thing just needs to be kept an eye on.

……

……

Cabinet value.

Li Dongyang did not return with Wang Ao. Wang Ao went to the upper court, while Li Dongyang came back directly and met Liu Jian who was about to go out.

Liu Jian directly handed Li Dongyang a memorial, which listed the names of officials in the Beijing camp who were involved in corruption and law-breaking investigated by the Ministry of Justice, as well as some punishment results... The move was quite big, and Li Dongyang was a little frightened after reading it.

"Binzhi, how is things going over at Wenhua Hall?" Liu Jian was about to leave, but when he saw Li Dongyang coming back, he called him in to talk a few more words.

Li Dongyang said: "We have decided to withdraw our troops. There will probably be no further progress on the grassland battlefield. It all depends on whether we can withdraw our troops smoothly."

"Ah."

Liu Jian seemed to have expected this result. He said, "Take another look at this."

When Li Dongyang opened it, he found that it was the emperor's reply to the ministers' impeachment of Zhang Mao. It was written in red ink by the emperor, with two big characters "strict investigation" inscribed on it.

easy to understand.

It seemed that the intention was to put Zhang Mao to death.

Li Dongyang frowned and said, "Your Majesty is very protective of the Duke of England. How could he..."

Liu Jian said: "I don't see it too clearly."

Obviously, the emperor's reaction this time was a bit extreme.

Li Dongyang said: "Perhaps your Majesty feels that now that the affairs of the Beijing camp have been settled, even if someone wants to stir up trouble, it will not cause a big disturbance. But from what I see, I am afraid that your Majesty will take this matter lightly, and the final result..."

Liu Jian said: "Isn't this exactly what we want?"

"Haha." Li Dongyang smiled.

If the emperor is still as cautious as before, taking into account the contributions and influence of these old ministers, and does not take action against them, how can he use these old ministers to attack Zhang Zhou?

The emperor must be conceited and think that everything is under control, and then the emperor must see the power behind old men like Zhang Mao, and Zhang Zhou must know what it means that a strong dragon cannot defeat a local snake. Even if you have the emperor's support, it is impossible for you to take advantage of these old foxes in the capital.

Liu Jian instructed, "Go to the Ministry of Revenue and check the accounts of the past few years with the Minister of Revenue. Then go to Taicang and find everyone you can. If the East Factory wants to find someone to investigate the past account books, and it involves the Beijing Camp, hide it for a while if possible."

Li Dongyang asked curiously: "Are you going to help him?"

Liu Jian said: "Although this incident was caused by Zhang Bingkuan, who was also the instigator, Zhang Tingmian's downfall was mostly due to impeachment. If some people are like mad dogs biting people randomly and implicate the upright officials in the court, it would be unnecessary."

"understood."

Li Dongyang is not an ordinary person either.

Previously, the cabinet and traditional civil officials had spared no effort in stepping on Zhang Mao, but when Zhang Mao really fell into the trap, this group of people wanted to pull Zhang Mao out.

What we want is...

Let Zhang Mao only hate Zhang Zhou, and only seek revenge on Zhang Zhou. If Zhang Mao feels that everyone in the court and the country is his opponent, and even the civil officials are not on his side, then Zhang Mao may not dare to take desperate measures.

Zhang Mao would only choose this path if he felt that there was indeed a way to survive outside the wall.

……

……

Li Dongyang followed Liu Jian's instructions and went to the Ministry of Revenue and Taicang to help Zhang Mao cover up the situation. Of course, he was well aware that he was in the center of the storm, so he would not go there personally to inquire about it.

When he had something to do, he would look for guests, or some of his students and old friends. With just a few words, he would have a large group of people at his disposal.

Moreover, no evidence should be left behind when doing things. One must act according to one's heart and rely entirely on intuition, and never on words or actions.

By the time he finished all this and returned home, it was already night.

It was the receptionist at the mansion who saw him and couldn't help but come forward and said, "Master, something happened at home. Someone from the Fourth Master's mansion said that the Fourth Master was taken away by the Jinyiwei. It seems to be related to some case."

"what?"

When Li Dongyang heard this, he was stunned at first, and then he seemed to understand that someone was targeting him.

"Rongzhi is not in the court, how can he be related to the case?" Li Dongyang was very angry.

This is about Li Dongyang's fourth brother Li Dongming.

The receptionist said, "I don't know either. Why don't you go and ask in person?"

Li Dongyang then took a breath and muttered, "Did Zhang Bingkuan realize something? Is he going to... break up with me?"

"Master, apart from you, no one else can be relied upon on the Fourth Master's side." The receptionist continued.

Li Dongyang said with a dark face: "How can I just interfere in the investigation of the Jinyiwei? After tonight, tomorrow... there will definitely be news. Just wait for now." (End of this chapter)