Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 49 Mao Wenlong’s five injustices

Thinking about when someone would attack the eunuchs, Zhu Youjian suddenly heard the Minister of Rites come to Zongdao:

"Your Majesty, Duke Ning Guo and Uncle An Ping have not been given the iron certificates yet. When will they be given the iron certificates?"

Zhu Youjian was unwilling, but could not express his dissatisfaction with Wei Zhongxian's indiscriminate promotion of titles. He could only pretend to be puzzled and asked:

"What iron certificate?"

"Don't Ning Guogong still have an iron ticket?"

This was a task given by Wei Zhongxian. Even though Lai Zongdao knew that it might cause the emperor's displeasure, he could only bite the bullet and explain:

"Ning Guo Gong has the iron bonds of Suning Bo and Suning Marquis, but they have not been exchanged for Ning Guo Gong."

"An Pingbo has been enthroned not long ago and has not yet given the iron certificate."

Zhu Youjian nodded slowly, indicating that he understood. He knew that he could not directly veto it at this time, but giving it easily would not be in line with his attitude of being cautious about famous weapons. So he could only say:

"Let's discuss it at the meeting tomorrow!"

"Discuss with Qi Jiguang, Yu Dayou, and Ma Gui's gifts!"

Bind this matter to the posthumous title and ask Wei Zhongxian to help him solve it.

Lai Zongdao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, knowing that he had completed the task assigned by Wei Zhongxian. The emperor tied the two things together, which shows that he is not firmly opposed to the titles of Wei Liangqing and others, and there is still room for discussion on this matter.

If you firmly refuse or agree immediately, it means you are in big trouble. Now that the two things are tied together, Wei Zhongxian will definitely be able to handle the matter of donating the title. The emperor will also give iron coupons to Wei Liangqing and others.

After temporarily appeasing Lai Zongdao, Zhu Youjian no longer thought about the title. The gratitude memorial of the king's ministers reminded him that after rewarding the ministers in the capital with additional titles, Zhu Youjian also rewarded the garrison, ministers, capital censors, honorary ministers inside and outside Nanjing, as well as governors, governors, general soldiers and other officials in various places with ascending gifts. He wants all the officials in the world to receive his rewards, recognize himself as the emperor as the master, and establish the righteousness of the emperor and his ministers.

After discussing this relatively easy matter, Zhu Youjian dealt with the military situation in Ningxia and other places, and then came the highlight of the day, which he considered very important:

"Mao Wenlong, the commander-in-chief of Pingliao and the right governor, wrote: After seven years of suffering and hard work in a hundred battles, there are five things that can lead to injustice."

"This is his memorial. Everyone, please read it!"

The copied memorial was shown to the ministers. The ministers looked at Mao Wenlong's letter and all had different thoughts.

Everyone knows that Mao Wenlong's Dongjiang Town was founded with the support of Yuan Keli, and Yuan Keli was later forced to leave by Mao Wenlong. Some people thought they had guessed the emperor's intention and wrote:
"Your Majesty, Mao Wenlong is domineering and should be removed from his post immediately and replaced by a commander-in-chief!"

Zhu Youjian was surprised when he heard what he said. He looked at the speaker and recognized that it was Xuezheng, who was given the title of Shizhong and the right deputy censor of the military department. As one of the few science and technology officials in the standing meeting, he finally found the opportunity to participate in the book for other officials.

His words seemed strange to Zhu Youjian, but in the eyes of people at this time, they were not wrong at all. Mao Wenlong complained about injustice, which many people regarded as a sign of domineering.

Mao Wenlong has an injustice in his heart, but don’t others? How could there be much fairness in the era when Wei Zhongxian was in power? If everyone feels dissatisfied, will the next step be to rebel?

Therefore, Xu Zheng made a decisive decision and participated in Mao Wenlong's domineering role as the commander of the military department.

Zhu Youjian didn't expect this at first, but with the participation of many people in the court, he finally understood what they were thinking:

If a general complains, he is domineering and must be suppressed strictly.

Now Zhu Youjian could not discuss the content of the memorial with them or resolve Mao Wenlong's grievances. He could only explain: "When Mao Wenlong has difficulties, he reports them to the court. It can be seen that he still hopes that the court will solve them."

"We must understand his difficulties of being alone overseas and encourage him to fight the enemy bravely."

The ministers were unwilling, so they allowed Zheng to say:
"Your Majesty, there are difficulties everywhere. After solving this one, do you have to solve the next one?"

"We cannot condone military generals and let them become more domineering."

"I suggest summoning Mao Wenlong to Beijing and questioning him face to face!"

All the ministers agreed and unanimously requested that Mao Wenlong be allowed to enter Beijing.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Youjian thought about it and thought that summoning Mao Wenlong to Beijing would be a good thing. If he decides to attack Houjin on the east road, Dongjiang Town will be a fulcrum. Whether Mao Wenlong can shoulder this important task, he has to see with his own eyes.

Another thing is to test Mao Wenlong's loyalty and see if he is willing to abandon his subordinates and come to Beijing. If he doesn't come, it means that he is really domineering and wants to be independent in Dongjiang Town. In that case, he must carefully consider whether someone should go to Dongjiang Town to serve as the commander-in-chief and take over Mao Wenlong's position.

Therefore, Zhu Youjian followed the good deeds and said to his ministers:
"Then summon Mao Wenlong to Beijing and let him tell him face to face."

"I asked him to find someone to take over temporarily for the matter in Dongjiang Town. The Xuanchuan Gong last time also gave him some rewards, so that he can go to Beijing with peace of mind and not have any doubts."

"In addition, Yuan Keli, the former governor of Denglai and Minister of the Ministry of War, was summoned to Beijing and asked to confront Mao Wenlong to determine whether there was really an injustice."

"Speaking of which, Yuan Keli was also Mao Wenlong's boss. He was forced to leave by Mao Wenlong. I'm afraid he was unfair!"

This was said easily, but none of the ministers dared to accept it. Summoning a lonely general is easy to say, but it can also force rebels to rebel by accident.

The ministers were furious just now, but now they did not dare to say anything, for fear that Mao Wenlong would rebel and take responsibility for themselves in the future.

As for Yuan Keli's matter, it's even harder to say. Everyone knew that the emperor wanted to recall Yuan Keli, but they didn't expect to be so impatient. He almost sent Yuan Keli to Beijing as soon as he found an opportunity. He couldn't even wait to be promoted to the imperial post, so he asked him to come back first.

Failure to respond was acquiescence. Zhu Youjian asked Huang Liji and other bachelors to draft the edict, and then said to everyone:
"Dong Qichang, the former Minister of Rites of Nanjing, was once an imperial examination lecturer."

"I heard that his calligraphy is good, comparable to that of great masters in ancient times. I have called him back to Beijing. I want to ask him for advice."

The ministers were speechless again, not knowing what to say to the emperor. It is true that Dong Qichang was an official of Emperor Taichang, and his relationship with Yuan Keli is also well known. The emperor summoned Dong Qichang back because he was obviously worried that Yuan Keli would be unable to support himself alone and would find a minister to help him.

Such a treatment makes people don't know what to say. Lai Zongdao, the Minister of Rites, was worried that his position would be replaced by Dong Qichang, so he asked cautiously:

"Your Majesty, what positions will Yuan Keli and Dong Qichang take when they return to the court? Do they want to be promoted by the court tomorrow?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said:
"First issue a decree to summon people."

"We'll talk about duties later."

It was decided not to wait for the court to recommend, but to call people back to Beijing first. After all, it only takes a month or two for this era to come and go. If everything is decided and then recalled, it will be too late.

In this way, Zhu Youjian successfully handled the affairs of the Ministry of War and issued a formal decree in accordance with court procedures.

(End of this chapter)