Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

Chapter 253 Liaodong Memorial

"Xuan, Yin Wenling of Shuntian Prefecture comes to see you!!!"

Wen Ling wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. When he heard the eunuch's roll call, he forcibly straightened his body and walked towards Qianqing Palace.

The cold wind was howling and the clouds were gathering. Wenling walked towards the magnificent palace step by step, feeling that he was walking towards death step by step.

The heavy curtain was lifted, and Wen Ling lowered his body and stepped into the hall.

Not daring to look up at the emperor on the throne, Wenling caught a glimpse of the cabinet officials on both sides. Wenling hurriedly took two steps, fell to his knees with a plop, and shouted: "Your Majesty, Wenling!"

Because copper stoves are placed in the four directions of the palace, bursts of light and heat are constantly emitted. Even if it is cold in winter, the huge Qianqing Palace is as warm as spring.

But at this moment, Wenling was lying on the ground, his forehead pressed tightly against the green bricks, and he didn't feel any warmth at all. He could only feel the cold sweat on his back.

When you enter the palace from Wenling, you feel that the atmosphere is very different, and the entire Qianqing Palace is silent.

Ye Xianggao, Sun Chengzong, Wang Huazhen, Lu Yu, Xu Guangqi and other five people stood silently in two rows, all speechless.

"Get up first," Zhu Youxiao's voice was deep and faintly angry.

"I am guilty!" Wen Ling did not stand up when he heard this, but still knelt there: "I am the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, and an official in the court died outside Chaoyang Gate early last night. I failed in my duty. Please resign as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture. Door to door!!”

Resign?

As soon as Wenling finished speaking, Emperor Tianqi had not yet spoken, and all the cabinet ministers in the palace were speechless. If something goes wrong now and you want to run away, can you run away?

"Master Wen, at this time, don't talk nonsense about guilt or innocence. I'm calling you here today not to convict you. The emperor wants to know who is behind this matter and ruining Duke Lang's reputation! ?”

Sun Chengzong folded his hands and hung them on his abdomen, and his tone seemed to be angry, but his last words seemed to mention something about Wenling.

Ruin the reputation of Duke Lang?

Has the tone been set?

Wenling's mind was spinning very fast. As soon as Sun Chengzong finished speaking, he immediately raised his head: "Your Majesty, I have sent people to check this morning. Within a month, I will find out the truth of the investigation and clear Duke Lang's name!"

At this time, Wen Ling finally understood what the warning in Liu Ruoyu's eyes meant when he was in the government office.

This is to kill Duke Baolang.

Originally, does this matter have anything to do with Duke Lang?

It doesn't matter. Four people impeached Duke Lang the day before and died at Chaoyang Gate today.

It may be related, but Duke Lang is far away in Liaodong. How could he send the order to Beijing in one day?
  However, now, Wenling knew that the emperor and several important officials in the court had made up their minds to take Duke Lang out. No matter what, this matter could not tarnish Wang Qi's reputation!

"One month is too long, three days, I only give you three days. After three days, the criminal will be caught and a solid case will be made. Xiaoyu will be executed in the thirteen provinces of Beijing and the capital!" Zhu Youxiao said coldly. From the moment Wenling entered the room, Zhang Ling showed an angry expression, as if Wang Qi's reputation was related to the face of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, Wei Chen understands, Wei Chen will do it now!" Wen Ling kowtowed three times and shouted: "I obey the order."

Wenling now feels like a mirror. Does it matter who killed those Donglin officials?
  unimportant.

Is Wang Qi’s reputation important?

Very important.

How to make a choice? Isn't it a simple matter?
  "Master Wen," Ye Xianggao who was standing aside said quietly when he saw Wen Ling's appearance: "You are the governor of Shuntian. There was a murder case in the capital this morning. In addition to solving the case as soon as possible and clearing the name of Duke Lang, , internal and external public opinion and rumors must be quelled as soon as possible, and no one can talk about the imperial court behind its back."

Wen Ling was regarded as Ye Xianggao's disciple and former official. When he spoke at this time, he was also trying to remind this disciple.

"I understand," Wen Ling had already gotten up from the ground, still hunched over and not daring to raise his head. "Ye Aiqing, when will Duke Lang return to the capital?" On the throne, Emperor Tianqi seemed to have thought of something and suddenly asked.

"Based on the distance, Duke Lang is about to leave now. He should be able to arrive in Beijing in half a month." Ye Xianggao stepped out when Zhu Youxiao asked him.

"Well, before returning to Beijing, the cabinet must make a conclusion on this matter and express the court's intention." Zhu Youxiao touched his chin, thought for a moment and added: "In addition, the court's rewards for the officials in Liaodong are all ready. ?"

"As far as your Majesty is concerned, except for the title of Duke Lang, the rest have been decided." Sun Chengzong is responsible for this matter.

The title of Duke Lang is the core point of this conferment. The promotion from a small country to a big country is also the center of the court discussion. But whether it is the Duke of Wei or the Duke of Qi, the cabinet has not been able to decide. Zhu You The school was also a little hesitant.

Duke Wei, referring to Li Jing in the Tang Dynasty, was particularly successful in destroying the country?
  As for the Duke of Qi, it is common practice to use this title as Wang Qi's ancestral home in various cities in Shandong.

"The cabinet should come up with a plan as soon as possible. It should be in line with Duke Lang's contribution and show the kindness of the court." Zhu Youxiao looked at Sun Chengzong.

"I obey the decree!" Sun Chengzong bowed and accepted the decree.

He was awakened by the disaster at Chaoyang Gate early in the morning. After discussing with everyone in the cabinet for an hour, he came to Wenling for questioning and ordered a "thorough investigation". It was already daylight and Zhu Youxiao was also a little tired.

"I'm tired. Let's go back to class and do our work." Zhu Youxiao leaned back on the throne, looking very tired compared to his eyes.

"Sir, please retire!"

Ye Xianggao and Sun Chengzong looked at each other, understanding in their hearts, and slowly exited with everyone.

"Master Sun, what do you think the emperor means?" Ye Xianggao and Sun Chengzong walked in the front, and the others stayed far away to prevent the melons and plums from falling.

"Isn't this simple?" Sun Chengzong clasped his hands and stepped slowly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone: "At this point, the emperor has to protect Duke Lang no matter what, whether he wants it or not."

To be honest, before the Jin expedition, Donglin's momentum in Nanjing was now very high. Scholars all over the country were regretting Donglin's resignation and complaining about it. Prince Xin's reputation among the people was also very good.

And now, with the great victory in Liaodong and the battle of annihilation of the country, Zhu Youxiao has been able to rank second among the emperors of the Zhu Ming Dynasty with this achievement.

At this time, Zhu Youxiao could not destroy Wang Qi's golden sign under any circumstances.

"Then tell me, does the Chaoyang Gate incident have anything to do with Duke Lang?" With a click, Ye Xianggao stood still and looked at his colleagues.

"According to what I know about Donglin, they won't do such a thing. It has nothing to do with their character and personality. It's just that they can't do it." Sun Chengzong smiled a little deeply and looked at Ye Xianggao: "And Duke Lang himself, even more I don’t bother to do this kind of thing.”

"You mean?" Ye Xianggao sighed.

"Yes, after all, Song Taizu was forced to ascend to power back then."

Sun Chengzong's words are profound.

---

In the deep Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youxiao curled up on the throne and didn't speak for a long time.

"I actually know who did this," Zhu Youxiao's tone was bleak.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhongxian lowered his head, not daring to reply, let alone make any wild guesses.

"I just want to see what Duke Lang will do with those people when he returns to Beijing."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao's eyes fell on the imperial table again, where there was a memorial.

"Liaodong Zoujieshu".

(End of this chapter)