The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 308: Changes in Rewards
Zhu Chenhao's expression changed.

Officials from the three judicial departments will be stationed in Prince Ning’s Mansion?

Haha, you, Yang Tinghe, are really wishful thinking!

He simply wanted to use this as an excuse to secretly investigate the evidence of Prince Ning's treason!

If these so-called three judicial officials were really allowed to go to Prince Ning's Mansion to investigate, they would be fools to only investigate the annexation of land. What they want to investigate is the evidence that Zhu Chenhao was plotting treason!
Zhu Chenhao naturally understood this point clearly.

So there is no way he would agree!

"Why is the Prime Minister so aggressive?"

"Everyone knows that the Prime Minister has always had a prejudice against me. So is it impossible that the Prime Minister sent officials to investigate and deliberately framed me?"

Zhu Chenhao was smart. He rejected the proposal with just one sentence and mocked Yang Tinghe for winning over officials and forming cliques.

The three judicial departments are the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple and the Censorate.

The Ministry of Justice is relatively familiar. It is one of the six ministries of the court. As the institution in charge of national criminal penalties and reviewing criminal names, it is equivalent to the Ministry of Justice in later generations. It is responsible for reviewing various laws, reviewing criminal cases sent to the ministry from all over the country, and jointly hearing death penalty cases under "wait for execution" with the Nine Ministers, as well as directly hearing cases of awaiting punishment and above in the capital area.

The Dali Temple is a prudent criminal justice agency that is primarily responsible for refuting and redressing unjust and wrong cases.

The Censorate developed from the previous dynasty's Censorate and was responsible for monitoring, impeaching and supervising all officials.

Originally, the Censorate had high powers. It could not only supervise the judicial organs, but also had the right to "report major matters for adjudication and make immediate decisions on minor matters". It was the highest supervisory organ. Later, Emperor Zhengde Zhu Houzhao gave the Censorate the power of "independent investigation and arrest", making this supervisory organ a behemoth with great power!

The three judicial departments formed by the three parties represented the legal authority of the Ming Dynasty.

There was nothing wrong with Yang Tinghe's proposal, because he was just doing his job. Since it was a fact that the Ning Wang Mansion had annexed the land, it would be natural for him to send officials from the three judicial departments to investigate. If they followed the rules, no one would be able to find fault with it.

However, Zhu Chenhao took advantage of the fight between Yang Tinghe and him and deliberately threw a basin of dirty water on Yang Tinghe.

You said that it is not allowed for us to investigate our own people, so does that mean it is allowed for the enemy to investigate himself?
Who doesn't know about the struggle between the royal family and the princes on the one hand, and the civil officials and gentry on the other?

What if you deliberately forge evidence to frame me?
Even Yang Tinghe did not think of this and could only listen quietly to the argument between Fei Hong and Zhu Chenhao.

The reason for Fei Hong's argument was, of course, to clear the name of the Three Judicial Departments.

Especially the Censorate, which is a well-known clean university, full of upright and loyal people. How could they do such a thing as framing someone? What's more, you, Zhu Chenhao, are not clean yourself. Is it necessary for my Censorate to frame you, a rebel king?
The heated debate between the two soon turned into a mutual attack, and then a group of court officials also joined the battlefield, questioning Zhu Chenhao's intentions. He secretly raised a large number of bandits to serve as his death squad, which was clearly an intention of treason!

Zhu Chenhao was unable to handle the situation alone, and Prince Xing Zhu Youlang just stood there calmly, with no intention of helping him at all.

This scene made Tang Hao frown.

Zhu Chenhao cannot die now.

At least he can't fall so quickly.

We have finally cultivated a treacherous minister who is known to everyone, but he hasn't even started to play a real role yet. How can he be abolished just like that?

So Tang Hao deliberately cleared his throat to remind the Emperor who was watching the show on the dragon throne.

It is not appropriate for him to show up now, because he doesn't know which bastard spread the news of Guli, making it a big deal in the city and everyone knows about it. Everyone knows that Zhongshan Hou Tang Hao took Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao's adopted daughter as his concubine.

If Tang Hao came out to support Zhu Chenhao at this time, he would be in a difficult situation and get into trouble for no reason!
Tang Hao was very suspicious and believed that it was definitely that bastard Zhu Chenhao who spread the news himself.

When Zhu Houzhao heard the unusual cough of Marquis Zhongshan, he was stunned for a moment, and then he reacted.

Well, the savage is reminding himself to take action and help Zhu Chenhao.

After all, it is not easy to stand alone and fight against the civil officials and gentry!
When he thought of this, Zhu Houzhao became somewhat dissatisfied with Zhu Youlang.

I have set two examples for members of the royal family. Look at Prince Ning, he was almost in a fight with the civil officials and gentry, but you, Prince Xing, act like a good guy. Why should I keep you?
So Zhu Houzhao suddenly shouted: "Enough! Shut up!"

"How can a noble official of the imperial court make such a scene like a street shrew?"

When the Emperor got angry, all the ministers immediately confessed their mistakes and shut up.

Zhu Chenhao looked around with anger on his face, and finally didn't dare to say another word.

Zhu Houzhao then turned his attention to Prince Xing Zhu Youlang and began to call out his names.

"Prince Xing, what do you think about this matter?"

When Zhu Youqiu heard this, he was suddenly shocked.

What do I think?
I do not want to look!

Prince Xing secretly complained.

How could he not see that His Majesty was dissatisfied with his inaction, so he directed his criticism at him.

In this case, we must obey Your Majesty's wishes!
Zhu Youji sighed secretly, and then said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, if we really want to talk about annexing land, the Ning Palace is not special, because Fei Zongxian just said that all the major palaces have annexed land. If that's the case, why do you have to target the Ning Palace?"

"In addition, the inner court eunuch Liu Jin is currently in charge of investigating the annexation of farmland by Prince Qing's palace. It is said that he has achieved considerable results. So why bother sending three judicial officials to investigate again? Just order Liu Jin to continue the investigation. What do you think, Prime Minister?"

Zhu Youqiao resolved Zhu Chenhao's dangerous situation with just a few words.

As for annexing land, it's not just the Ning Prince's Mansion that does it. Basically, all the princes in various places are doing it to varying degrees. Why do you target Prince Ning?

Even if we want to investigate these fields annexed by the palace, it is not the turn of you civil officials and gentry. Liu Jin is doing a good job in this regard, so why not just let him continue to investigate? Why bother with this?

Yang Tinghe looked at Zhu Youlang deeply. He suddenly realized that this Prince Xing, whom he had previously ignored, was more difficult to deal with than the fool Prince Ning Zhu Chenhao.

Let Liu Jin investigate?

How would that damn eunuch Liu Jin investigate?
After the Qing clan, who will Liu Jin investigate next?

It’s all just a matter of one word from His Majesty the Emperor!
In other words, as long as His Majesty the Emperor wants to protect Zhu Chenhao, Liu Jin can investigate however he wants!
The civil officials and gentry had no chance to intervene in this matter at all, and all the efforts made by Fei Hong before were in vain!

Yang Tinghe was still somewhat unwilling and was about to retort, but the Emperor directly expressed his attitude.

"Hmm... Prince Xing did remind me."

"Liu Jin is investigating these matters right now, so let him continue investigating. There is no need to mobilize a large force."

"Prince Ning came to the court to serve as an official to help the country. If the court sends officials from the three judicial departments to jointly station in Prince Ning's mansion to investigate the matter of Prince Ning's mansion annexing land, wouldn't that be disheartening?"

"Your Majesty..." Yang Tinghe was interrupted before he could finish his words.

"It's settled!" Zhu Houzhao ordered impatiently, "No need to discuss further!"

Hearing this, Fei Hong and Yang Tinghe looked at each other, then both sighed and returned to their seats silently.

His Majesty the Emperor's attitude is very clear. He wants to protect Prince Ning Zhu Chenhao and continue fighting with the civil officials and gentry!
In this case, there is no point in saying more.

Just as the hall fell into silence, the Minister of Rites Zhu Youqiu stepped out again.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongshan led the army to crush Japan and eradicate the Japanese pirates. This is a great feat of destroying a country. The court should reward all the meritorious soldiers. Only in this way can the hearts of the soldiers all over the world be reassured!"

Well, Zhu Youlang is like a toad, jumping once when poked, and now it jumped twice.

Since we have to obey His Majesty's wishes, the most important thing is the reward for the meritorious service in explaining the test paper.

As the Minister of Rites, Zhu Youqiu was naturally qualified to raise this matter.

Zhu Houzhao nodded with a smile on his face, and was very satisfied with Zhu Youqiu's performance at the moment.

This is more reasonable, otherwise why would I bring you into the court?
"My dear minister, you are absolutely right. The Marquis of Zhongshan has made such great contributions to the country and deserves a generous reward!"

The person involved, Tang Hao, naturally stopped watching the show and went out to the street and knelt on the ground obediently.

"Marquis Zhongshan, you are the descendant of the famous founding general and King Tang He of Dong'ou. This time you have helped our Ming Dynasty to pacify the Japanese pirates and have made an unprecedented contribution. I intend to let you inherit the Duke of Xin, the former title of King Dong'ou. In fact, it originally belonged to your Tang family. What do you think, my dear ministers?" Duke Xin!
He was indeed promoted to Duke!

When the civil officials and gentry heard this, they were all filled with emotion for a moment.

It can be said that they watched Tang Hao climb up step by step. At first, this guy was just a guard of the imperial army. He made great contributions in saving the emperor in the Nanyuan Tiger Case, and thus was able to inherit Tang He's former title of Marquis of Zhongshan.

At that time, many civil officials and gentry were speculating that if this boy made military achievements again in the future, and with the favor of the Emperor, he would surely be promoted to the rank of Duke.

But a hereditary duke, and a brave and warlike one at that, not to mention a hereditary duke in his prime, had a huge impact on the court politics of the Ming Dynasty, so the civil officials and gentry had been secretly restricting this Marquis of Zhongshan.

Unexpectedly, Marquis Zhongshan was a lawless and arrogant man who could not be restrained at all. Finally, he came to this day and was about to be promoted to Duke of Xin, helping their Tang family to regain the hereditary Duke title that belonged to them!
I’m afraid that from now on, the military honors of the Ming Dynasty will truly rise!

Before Tang Hao could express his opinion, Yang Tinghe suddenly knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, you must not!"

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

None of the civil and military officials had expected that Yang Tinghe would actually speak out in opposition at this moment!

why?
This time, the Marquis of Zhongshan has truly accomplished the feat of destroying a country.

Moreover, the title of Duke of Xin originally belonged to the Tang family. It was only because of the interference of civil officials and gentry that Tang Hao did not inherit the title of Duke of Xin, but only inherited the title of Marquis of Zhongshan!
At this critical juncture, you, Yang Tinghe, still dare to jump out and oppose. What gives you the right?

Before anyone else could react, Duke of England Zhang Mao yelled angrily for the first time: "Yang Tinghe, what do you mean, you traitor?"

"Marquis Zhongshan led his soldiers across the ocean to conquer Japan. How much suffering and pain did they endure? How many soldiers sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty and fought bloody battles on the battlefield to pacify Japan. What qualifications do you, Yang Tinghe, have to obstruct the reward?"

"Yes! It's so disheartening!" Duke Baoguo Zhu Hui immediately followed.

He has already reconciled with Tang Hao and even sent his eldest son to him. Therefore, all interests from now on will be based on Tang Hao, the head of military honors!

Xianning Marquis Qiu Yue also sneered and said, "When my men were sacrificing their lives and shedding their blood, where were you court officials?"

"Now that you have made great military achievements, but you cannot get the rewards you deserve, how can people accept this? Do we have to let all the soldiers of the nine borders mutiny in the future and stop guarding the borders for the Ming Dynasty?"

After all, Qiu Yue was born into a family of generals from the Nine Frontiers, so he had no good feelings towards the ministers in the court!

Especially after learning from Tang Hao the truth about Ye Qi's reform, he knew that everyone from the emperor to the ministers chose to sacrifice the soldiers and civilians of the Nine Borders for the sake of money. This made this general from the Nine Borders extremely disappointed with the Ming court and he hated these ministers to the core!

As soon as Yang Tinghe opened his mouth, it was like stirring up a hornet's nest, immediately attracting the ridicule and scolding of a group of military heroes!

Especially after Qiu Yue said those threatening and heart-piercing words, the faces of the ministers changed drastically.

At this moment, they didn't understand why Yang Tinghe did this.

The title obviously belongs to someone else, and now he has made great contributions, why don't you give it to him?

Besides, there is the issue of Japan's interests. If you do this now, if Marquis Zhongshan retaliates in the future and directly excludes the gentry, the loss will be huge.

In addition, as Qiu Yue said, if meritorious soldiers are not rewarded, who will be willing to fight for the court in the future?

The soldiers became dissatisfied because of this, and in serious cases they directly mutinied. Who will go to guard the nine borders to defend against the enemy then? Will it be you, Yang Tinghe, or your son, Yang Shen?
Extremely unwise!
Even the Minister of Personnel Wang Ao, the Minister of War Yang Yiqing and the Chief Censor of the Censorate Fei Hong were a little confused at this moment and did not understand why Yang Tinghe did this.

Zhu Houzhao had no expression on his face and looked at Yang Tinghe coldly.

"Lord Yang, why not?"

"Isn't the Marquis of Zhongshan's achievement of destroying a country worthy of a duke?"

Facing the ministers' surprised or malicious gazes, Yang Tinghe answered openly: "Your Majesty, since the reigns of Renzong and Xuanzong, the court has become increasingly strict in conferring titles for military merits. It is rare to be conferred the title of Duke for just one battle. Even the Wuyi Xuanping King (Zhu Yong) was awarded the seal of a general eight times and made countless contributions to the Ming Dynasty in its wars. Only then was he promoted to Duke!"

"In addition, the merits of Japan are not the merits of destroying the country. For our Ming Dynasty, the real external threat lies in the northern barbarians and the increasingly powerful Mongolian Tatar tribes. Although the Marquis of Zhongshan has often made meritorious contributions, he has not pacified the northern barbarians, nor has he made merits in resolving conflicts and teaching the emperor. All his achievements combined cannot compare with those of the King of Wuyi Xuanping. How can he be granted the title of Duke?"

"If Your Majesty promotes Marquis Zhongshan to Duke now, then I would like to ask how Your Majesty will reward Marquis Zhongshan if he leads an army to pacify the Northern Barbarians in the future. Will you enthrone him as the first king of a different surname in the Ming Dynasty?"

"Yang Tinghe! You are so brave!"

His Majesty the Emperor was "furious", and all the officials were instantly silenced.

After all, what Yang Tinghe, this madman, just said was so heartbreaking!
King with a different surname!
This is absolutely impossible!
Because Emperor Taizu Gao had left an edict that anyone other than a member of the Zhu family who dared to claim to be king would be attacked by the whole world!
To put it bluntly, there cannot be a king of a different surname in the Ming Dynasty. Even if they had outstanding achievements like Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and other famous founding generals, they were only dukes during their lifetime and posthumously named kings. However, their real title was still the hereditary duke, and the posthumous title of king was only a posthumous honor, which naturally could not be inherited.

For example, the example Yang Tinghe just gave, King Wuyi Xuanping, is the Duke of Baoguo Zhu Yong. His title during his lifetime was Duke of Baoguo, and after his death he was posthumously named "King Xuanping" and given the posthumous title "Wuyi"!
However, what Yang Tinghe said made some sense. It was indeed too early to confer the title of Duke on Tang Hao now.

You, Tang Hao, have not done anything to defend against the Northern Tartars!
What if you really pacify the Northern Barbarians in the future, will the imperial court be forced to make you a king?

It's not appropriate!

Therefore, the best solution is to wait a while and wait until you, Tang Hao, have made great contributions in pacifying the Northern Tartars, and then I will confer the title of Duke upon you!
After realizing this, Wang Ao, Yang Yiqing, Fei Hong and others immediately followed suit and spoke in agreement with Yang Tinghe.

Naturally, military heroes such as Zhang Mao, Zhu Hui, Xu Guangzuo and Qiu Yue could not agree to this, and they also came out to express their dissatisfaction.

The Northern Barbarians are not so easy to pacify. Do you really think Tang Hao can do everything?
What if the Northern Tartars don't come? Will the Duke really not give it to me?

A violent quarrel broke out between the two sides, which was even more noisy and chaotic than before.

"Everyone, shut up!"

Finally, Zhongshan Hou, with a gloomy face, spoke.

As soon as he opened his mouth, all the civil and military officials fell silent.

After all, anyone who sees himself about to be promoted to Duke but is prevented from doing so by others would probably be furious.

At this time, no one dared to provoke the Marquis of Zhongshan.

Tang Hao looked at Yang Tinghe with a sullen face and shouted coldly: "Prime Minister, if I pacify the Northern Tartars, can I be promoted to Duke?"

"It should be so!" Yang Tinghe replied expressionlessly.

"Very good!" Tang Hao knelt on the ground again and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I know that my merits do not match my position, so I will postpone the title of Duke this time!"

"I will not be granted the title of Duke until I defeat the Northern Barbarians. Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

I will not be granted the title of Duke until I defeat the Northern Barbarians!
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

At this moment, even Yang Yiqing couldn't help being moved, secretly admiring the vision and courage of the Marquis of Zhongshan.

But the next moment, they were almost so angry that they burst into cursing.

"Your Majesty, I may not be granted the title of Duke, but my contribution in destroying a country is real. All meritorious officers and soldiers must be rewarded. Otherwise, it will only make the soldiers of the three armies feel disappointed."

"As for all my rewards, just share them among the officers and men!"

Zhu Houzhao finally smiled, and he was very happy.

"Good! Lord Tang is indeed a loyal and good minister!"

"In that case, the rewards for the meritorious officers and soldiers who defeated the Japanese invaders this time, except for Lord Tang, will be increased by one level to show Lord Tang's sincerity."

All the civil and military officials in the court stood there in a daze, then suddenly turned their heads and looked at Yang Tinghe.

Yang Tinghe had a blank expression on his face, and he had retreated back to his seat without him noticing, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

Zhongshan Hou... Yang Tinghe...

Is this a good play they are performing?
Feeling those questioning gazes, Yang Tinghe couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Well, you bastard Zhongshan Hou, you really put me in trouble this time!

(End of this chapter)