The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 221 Stripping away authority
Who is Li Dongyang?
Talented people who became famous at a young age.

The contemporary leader of the Huguang Township Party.

The current chief assistant bachelor of the cabinet.

A literary leader who led the Jin gentry with his articles.

No matter which identity he holds, he is enough to be admired and respected.

But unfortunately, this guy is a restless politician!

In fact, Tang Hao didn't have any murderous intentions towards Li Dongyang at first.

After all, Zuo Yidao was right. After all, Li Dongyang followed the East Palace cabinet system. He was a close minister of the East Palace of Emperor Hongzhi in the past, and he had a half-master friendship with him.

Even when Tang Hao teamed up with Zhu Houzhao to pursue the Huguang Township Party, he still left a bit of trouble for the cabinet bachelor. He was not directly dismissed from office and expelled from the court, but was driven away as the leader. It's just Liu Daxia who is in charge of the Ministry of War.

After all, among the top leaders of the Huguang Township Party, Liu Daxia, the Minister of the Ministry of War, has the most powerful authority. Li Dongyang, the cabinet bachelor, is suppressed by Liu Jian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, who cannot make any trouble at all. In addition, there is Xiong Xiu, the minister of the Ministry of War. After that, he was also driven to become the governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi.

At first, the ministers were quite confused about the case and could not believe that Li Dongyang would do such a vicious thing. However, when they heard Tang Hao mention Li Dongyang's "record", even the most stupid person could imagine it. Li Dongyang is indeed very suspicious!
So where is the Huguang Guild Hall?
Li Dongyang, the leader of the Huguang Township Party, was the foundation of the party. Every day after going to court, he would drink and have fun at the Huguang Township Party, feasting on old friends and disciples.

However, just getting here is not enough. Otherwise, wouldn't Tang Hao's thirty imperial sticks be in vain?
So the Marquis of Zhongshan continued to speak with a face full of grief and indignation: "Your Majesty, all ministers and ministers, I wonder if you still remember that before I went to sea to suppress the Japanese, I, Tang Hao, was assassinated by the Japanese deputy envoy!"

"However, today, after I returned to Beijing after leaving the sea, I heard that the case has not been resolved, and even those involved in the case have been let go!"

"This is Qianhu Song Yu's own decision!"

However, Zhu Houzhao did not give him a chance to react and directly summoned the Jinyiwei commander Mou Bin.

After hearing this, Mou Bin immediately knelt down to apologize.

what is this?
If the assassination fails once, why not try a second time?

Even Yang Yiqing, the Minister of War, was a little confused now. He asked Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites beside him, and then understood the whole story of the assassination of the Japanese deputy envoy.

"Aren't the people involved in the case always being tortured by Jin Yiwei? Who released them without authorization?"

Following Tang Hao's reminder, the monarchs and ministers in the hall immediately reacted.

The ministers discussed one after another, pointing the finger at Li Dongyang.

After what happened today, everyone in the government and the public will know that the new chief minister of the cabinet is ruthless and unscrupulous in his actions. Even those who are flattering and fawning will think carefully about whether Li Dongyang is worthy of their following and allegiance!

At that time, it was precisely when Liu Jinquan was in power, the cabinet was in name only, and Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet, was of no use.

"All those involved in the case, including Li Zhaofan, were released by Song Yu!"

Without the power of the Ministry of War, Li Dongyang's Huguang Township Party was effectively deprived of its core strength, leaving only a suppressed cabinet bachelor who would find it almost difficult to stand up again.

The ministers immediately started talking, and most of their eyes were focused on Li Dongyang.

As soon as these words came out, the whole court was in an uproar.

However, even Tang Hao never thought that Li Dongyang would one day be the chief minister of the cabinet!
It seems that in history, it was Li Dongyang who succeeded Liu Jian and became the chief minister of the cabinet.

Yes, it seems that this is indeed the case.

But it sounds like Li Dongyang is indeed very suspicious!

At that time, it was said that Zhongshan Marquis Tang Hao was assassinated by the Japanese deputy envoy Ouchi Hongzhen. As a result, the assassination failed, and all eleven people including Ouchi Hongzhen were killed on the spot. Then the Zhongshan Marquis forcibly mobilized troops to surround the Huitong Hall and surrounded it. The entire Japanese delegation was taken away and detained.

"Song Yu?" Zhu Houzhao continued to ask with confusion on his face: "Which Song Yu?"

Hey, it really looks like something Li Dongyang can do!
For a moment, Li Dongyang's face turned red and he was about to explain.

Tang Hao asked angrily: "Your Majesty, when I was assassinated, the last clue was to the Huguang Township Party, and the Jinyiwei captured a group of people."

However, Zhu Houzhao seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly shouted: "I still have some impressions of the case of the Japanese deputy envoy assassinating the Marquis of Zhongshan!"

After all, if it weren't for Li Dongyang's instigation and instigation, Tang Shaozong would not have committed the following abominable act of raping or stabbing the family head in the back, and had to die to apologize in the end.

Since the assassination of Zhongshan Hou by the Japanese deputy envoy involved the Huguang Guild Hall, it must be inseparable from the Huguang party leader.

Zhang Yong, who was on the side, finished his attack in time and reminded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it is clear that this Song Yu is Liu Dayun's newly adopted son!"

"Doesn't the dynasty have laws and regulations? Can the assassination of an important minister be fooled away? Or is it that Tang Hao, the Marquis of Zhongshan, is not as good as Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet, so even if I die, I will still die?"

"Tishuai, who released the person involved in the assassination of the Japanese deputy envoy?"

But now it seems that this fluttering sentence in the history book contains many conspiracies!
Facing the strange looks from the ministers, Li Dongyang still looked calm, but in his heart he was extremely angry.

In other words, Tang Shaozong was actually forced to death by Li Dongyang.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Hearing this, Li Dongyang felt extremely uneasy.

Later, the Japanese envoy Ashikaga Yoshiki personally testified in court that Ouchi Hirosada accepted other people's money and went to assassinate Zhongshan Hou Tang Hao. The clue finally ended at the Huguang Guild Hall, where the Huguang Township Party gathered...

Tang Hao, that damn barbarian, had been deliberately plotting to pour dirty water on Li Dongyang from the very beginning!
He just wanted to force Tang Shaozong's death on Li Dongyang himself.

The last time you killed someone, this time you are even more vicious and want to excommunicate them?
How much hatred and resentment!

Yang Yiqing knew Li Dongyang very well. He was in a high position and was pampered. He only looked at the results and did not ask about the process. To put it harshly, it was unscrupulous!

Hiss... If it looks like this, this is not the first time that Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet, has plotted against Tang Hao, the Marquis of Zhongshan!

With Tang Hao's approach, it is unlikely that he will overthrow Li Dongyang. After all, he has only been the chief minister of the cabinet for a few months. How could he step down so soon? Isn't it child's play for an important minister in the court?

So, pouring a basin of dirty water on Li Dongyang is a real deal.

Speaking of which, when eunuchs accept people as adopted sons, it's all for profit, so they don't care about the age gap between the two parties.

After all, one is willing to fight and the other is willing to suffer. Song Yu became Liu Jin's adopted son and was immediately promoted to Jinyiwei Qianhu. At one point, he was so forced that Tishuai Mou Bin could not check and balance. With such power and interests, even if he was Liu Jin's adopted son, it would be difficult for him to do so. Totally worth it.

People in this court only value relationships and the benefits they bring, nothing more.

If you really want to cultivate a successor, you should choose smart children and take more care of them. Naturally, they will not be pushed out by Liu Jin like Song Yu and slaughtered like a pig or dog by Tang Hao!

Liu Jin’s adopted son Song Yu released Li Zhaofan and other people involved in the case without any reason!
As soon as the news came out, the expressions of the courtiers present became increasingly ugly.

Because, who is Li Zhaofan?

The stepson of Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet!
Do you still dare to say that you didn't collude with that damn eunuch Liu Jin? !

For a moment, the eyes of Manchao Wenwu and Li Dongyang became unkind.

However, this is not enough!
Zhu Houzhao continued to pursue him and asked: "This is simply unreasonable!"

"Where is that Qianhu Song Yu now? Send it to the court!" "I would like to ask who gave him the courage to treat the laws and regulations of the country as nothing!"

However, when Mou Bin heard this, he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Your Majesty, Song Yu can't come!"

"Huh?" Zhu Houzhao frowned, "What does Tishuai mean by this? Could it be that this thief fled out of fear of crime?"

"It's good that he escaped. Jin Yiwei can still search for him with all his strength!"

Mou Bin hurriedly explained: "But this Song Yu is already dead!"

"On the day when the Marquis of Zhongshan returned to the capital, Song Yu, who was ordered by someone unknown, led some Tiqi to surround the Marquis of Zhongshan, trying to prevent the Marquis of Zhongshan from entering the palace to meet the Holy Spirit, but he was later beheaded by the Marquis of Zhongshan on the spot!"

After hearing this, the officials suddenly reacted.

It turns out that the person Zhongshan Hou killed in the street was Song Yu, the adopted son of the eunuch Liu Jin!
At this point, all the truth is revealed, and the recent shocking turmoil in the capital is all connected.

First, the Marquis of Zhongshan suddenly rushed back to Beijing to meet Liu Jian, the former chief minister of the cabinet. He immediately prepared to enter the palace to meet the saint, but was blocked by Song Yu commanded by Liu Jin. Therefore, the Marquis of Zhongshan was angry and killed Song Yu, and then the Zhongshan War broke out. A series of surprises such as Hou breaking into the forbidden areas of the palace without permission!

After that, Zhongshan Hou was imprisoned for the following crimes. Li Dongyang began to take action, instigating Tang Shaozong to concoct a series of rumors with the intention of expelling Zhongshan Hou from his clan, causing Zhongshan Hou to be ruined and die without a burial place!

hiss……

What a ruthless means!
What a vicious method!
You, Li Dongyang, still dare to say that you didn't collude with Liu Jin? !

Wasn't this series of plans concocted by you, Li Dongyang and Liu Jin, with the cooperation of you?
After understanding these facts, the expressions of the officials present immediately changed, and many courtiers even looked sharply at Li Dongyang.

Speaking of which, Liu Jian, the former chief minister of the cabinet, became official, and many courtiers also made great efforts.

They seized Liu Yu's breakthrough and vigorously criticized and impeached Liu Jian, making Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, somewhat infamous.

After all, Liu Jian had recommended Liu Yu many times during the Hongzhi period, and Liu Yu was Liu Jian's fellow villager. As a result, Liu Yu had accepted bribes and enriched his own pockets. With conclusive evidence, he would naturally be imprisoned for his crimes. Liu Yu had been recommended and promoted so many times. Liu Jian, the chief minister of Yu's cabinet, was naturally implicated.

Liu Jian took the initiative to become an official because of this matter.

These courtiers originally thought that seizing the opportunity to force Liu Jian to return to his hometown and replace him with Xie Qian, the jealous chief minister of the cabinet, would be more conducive to them profiting from troubled waters.

However, no one expected that the strong-tempered Xie Qian would directly resign, leaving Li Dongyang to succeed him as the chief minister of the cabinet.

What the ministers did not expect was that this damn Li Dongyang, who was obviously a well-known scholar in the literary world, would choose to collude secretly with Liu Jin for the sake of becoming a leader. He was really despicable!
Scholar-officials and eunuchs were themselves hostile groups.

Don't talk about personal ideas, just talk about political stance.

Eunuchs and eunuchs put it more harshly, that is, they are the domestic slaves of the emperor and the emperor, and naturally represent the imperial power.

The civil servants and officials are ministers and strive for power.

In the past, when the prime minister still existed, this thing was called the power of the prime minister, which represented the power of the subjects.

Later, Emperor Taizu Gao seized the opportunity and abolished the prime minister system in one fell swoop. The power of the prime minister ceased to exist, and no one could check and balance the imperial power.

Imperial power and ministerial power are naturally full of contradictions.

And this also means that the scholar-officials group and the eunuch group are naturally on opposite sides.

This was true in the Han Dynasty, the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and even more so in the former Song Dynasty.

I don’t know how many eunuchs and eunuchs have appeared who have caused harm to the country and chaos in government!
It turns out that you, Li Dongyang, are very good, but you secretly colluded with the eunuch Liu Jin. You really have no scholarly character and no bottom line!
Tang Hao noticed the strange expressions of the ministers and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.

This is what he wants to see!

Give Li Dongyang the title of "eunuch" and cut off the power in his hands!

Eunuchs refer to those officials who benefit from the power of eunuchs.

Eunuchs interfered in politics and eunuchs were rampant. This has occurred in many dynasties in Chinese history. For example, the "Disaster of Party Prisons" and the "Rebellion of Shi Changshi" in the late Eastern Han Dynasty were one of the important reasons for the Eastern Han Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline and then to its gradual demise. ; In the late Li and Tang Dynasties, eunuch forces participated in the internal disputes of the royal family; and there was the famous 9,000-year-old Wei Zhongxian in the Ming Dynasty. The emperor was "long live", and Wei Zhongxian was "9,000 years old", which shows how powerful he was.

The relationship between eunuchs and emperors is that of slaves and masters.

The relationship between the scholar-bureaucrats and the emperor was that of the emperor and his subjects, even as rivals.

For example, the slogan shouted by the scholar-bureaucrats in the former Song Dynasty, "The emperor and the scholar-bureaucrats share the world." It is clear that they want to fight with the imperial power. It is best to ignore the emperor and let the emperor be a mascot, and then the scholar-bureaucrats will govern the country. .

Domestic slaves, at least those of one's own family.

Therefore, the emperor was naturally more willing to trust these domestic slaves than outsiders such as scholar-bureaucrats who struggled for power.

In each dynasty, the role played by eunuchs and eunuchs is like the slaves and maids in each house of a wealthy family helping their masters fight for property. It is not that the power of the slaves is really powerful enough to seize the entire family's property, because their power is all From his master (emperor).

The disaster of eunuchs and the prosperity of eunuchs, from Zhao Gao of the Qin Dynasty, to the Shichangshi of the Han Dynasty, to Li Tang's Ganlu Incident, and then to the most famous Ming Dynasty, there were even Dongchang and Xichang, these two minions institutions, specialize in serving eunuchs.

Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang once issued an edict strictly prohibiting eunuchs from intervening in politics. In the hands of Emperor Taizong Zhu Di, this iron discipline underwent a subtle change. Not only was he no longer wary of eunuchs, but he also began to regard eunuchs as confidants and as a force that controlled the ministers of the outer court. important force.

After Yongle, later emperors trusted eunuchs even more. By the time Emperor Xuanzong and Zhu Zhanji began to set up an inner library in the palace to teach eunuchs how to read and write, this laid the foundation for the eunuch dictatorship in the Ming Dynasty.

Yingzong Zhu Qizhen came to the throne at a young age and favored the eunuch Wang Zhen. The power of the eunuch party began to take shape. Wang Zhen, the first powerful eunuch in the Ming Dynasty, stepped onto the stage of history and set a good example for future generations of eunuchs.

After that, Wang Zhi, the eunuch under Emperor Xianzong Zhu Jianshen, and Liu Jin, the eunuch under Emperor Wu Zong Zhu Houzhao, both established party members and specialized in government affairs; during the reign of Emperor Xizong Zhu Youjian and Tianqi Dynasty, the great eunuch Wei Zhongxian monopolized power, and a large number of court officials relied on his power, and the power of the eunuch party reached its peak in history; After Zhu Youxiao came to the throne, Wei Zhongxian was first dismissed from his post and deported to Fengyang, and then was forced to commit suicide on the road. The main members of the Eunuch Party committed suicide. The power of the Eunuch Party suffered a fatal blow, but the Ming Dynasty also collapsed immediately!

The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty allowed these domestic slaves to fight for power with the civil servants and officials to defend the imperial power. This was understandable. However, the problem was that these eunuchs and eunuchs acted ruthlessly and lawlessly. Once they gained power, they would get carried away and start to fight against different parties and eradicate dissidents, which wasted the Ming Dynasty. The number of Qi.

But no matter what, if anyone is tainted with the name of "eunuch", he is destined to be ostracized and suppressed by the scholar-bureaucrats, even Li Dongyang, a literary leader, is no exception!
Now that we have reached this point, Tang Hao no longer needs to take action, because some people will be unable to sit still.

Even Zhang Juzheng, the powerful prime minister who saved the time, only secretly maintained a tacit understanding and reached a political alliance with Feng Bao. Do you think Zhang Juzheng dared to eat, drink and chat with Feng Bao openly?
The officials are no longer too lazy to investigate the truth, and now they want to bring down Li Dongyang!
We must not allow an eunuch who colludes with eunuchs to continue to sit in the position of chief minister of the cabinet and lead civil servants and gentry. Doesn't that mean that his own boss has become a traitor?
So after a brief silence, someone immediately chose to take action.

Huang Xizhai, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, immediately came out and said loudly: "Your Majesty, according to the consistent system of the country, one person is not allowed to hold two posts. Since Li Xueshi succeeded him as the chief minister of the cabinet, the chief minister has many affairs, and Li Xueshi has been ill for a long time. The old minister suggested that he should choose Other cabinet bachelors are also in charge of the Hanlin Academy!”

Hanlin bachelor, this is the highest official of the Hanlin Academy, in charge of Wen Han, and prepares for the emperor's consultation. In the early Ming Dynasty, his actual power was equivalent to that of the prime minister, and his status was noble and respected.

However, with the strong rise of the cabinet, the Imperial Academy inevitably conflicted with the powers of the cabinet, and some powers were transferred to the cabinet. The Imperial Academy was also under the concurrent management of a certain bachelor in the cabinet, and became a subordinate agency of the cabinet.

The status of the Ming Dynasty Hanlin can be roughly equated to the top intellectuals, similar to the academicians and academic members of later generations.

But the difference is that under the imperial examination model, academics and officials were integrated, and scholars and bureaucrats had a strong circulation mechanism. Therefore, the Hanlins in the Ming Dynasty were both top scholars and senior civil servants, and many Hanlins were even teachers of the emperor.

There is a saying that one must take scientific examinations to become an official, and the Imperial Academy must come from the cabinet.

After Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, thanks to Sanyang Bingzheng, a promotion pattern was basically formed in which non-Jinshi did not enter the Imperial Academy, and non-Hanlin did not enter the cabinet, which became a custom-made promotion pattern.

Therefore, the Hanlin Academy has become a place where talents are nurtured and hoped for. Although it only controls the imperial edicts and historical records, it is the home of cabinet ministers and the palace of prime ministers. It has a high chance of rising through the ranks, becoming senior ministers in the imperial court and even local officials. The stepping stone.

Huang Xizhai's words are actually depriving Li Dongyang of his authority, and even abolishing Li Dongyang's identity as a literary leader!
From now on, Tang Hao's purpose of beating the drum and filing a petition today is about to be achieved!

(End of this chapter)