Jiajing Chengming

Chapter 81 Severe torture, eunuch Qiu Ju is about to die

September 5th, the sixteenth year of Zhengde.

Cabinet ministers and nine ministers.

The left and right commanders of the Five Military Commanderies.

The chief officials of the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial College, the five temples, and the censors of the Ministry of Rites.

Led by the Minister of Rites Mao Cheng, after a formal meeting, they jointly submitted a petition, requesting that, according to Zhang Cong's theory, Emperor Xiaomiao be called the Emperor's Uncle Father, Empress Dowager Cishou be called the Emperor's Aunt Mother, that the title of King Xingxian be given, that the Princess of Xing be called the Empress Dowager, that King Xingxian be called the Emperor's Father, and that the Princess of Xing be called the Emperor's Mother.

"it is good!"

After Zhu Houcong received this joint memorial, he praised it.

This is the result he wants.

Because this joint petition meant that most of the bureaucrats from the ritual protection faction had finally admitted defeat.

Zhu Houcong knew that this was related to the fact that the Prime Minister Liang Chu did not choose to stand against him and managed the situation properly.

thereby……

Avoiding historical outcomes.

in history.

Prime Minister Yang Tinghe took the lead in forcing the emperor to recognize Emperor Xiaozong as his father, forcing the emperor to take action himself.

This led to more intense conflicts between the two sides.

The Ritual Advocates were all labeled as treacherous ministers.

The ritual protection faction was also completely hated by the ritual debate faction.

and even.

Zhang Cong, the leader of the Ritual Advocate faction, therefore developed stress syndrome towards the officials of the Ritual Advocate faction.

Historically, Zhang Cong hated Yang Tinghe and other ritualists even more than Emperor Jiajing because he was not only murdered by them, but also slandered and vilified by them and labeled as a traitor.

Sometimes, Jiajing wanted to ease the conflict with the ritualists and recruit some relatively upright former ritualists ministers.

Zhang Cong and others were like cats whose tails were caught. They threatened to resign, forcing Emperor Jiajing to adopt a tough approach because he needed the Ritualists as his base to guarantee his imperial power.

As a result, the internal conflicts in the court became increasingly intense, and eventually affected the emperor's personal safety and the health of his offspring.

Now, most of the ritualists have finally admitted defeat.

This situation can be avoided.

"It is true that those who are good at governing do not have a great reputation."

"To be the head of the family, we still have to use the elderly!"

"But we have to employ old people who are loyal to the country. That way they can do things in a mature way and avoid causing trouble!"

Therefore, when Zhu Houcong summoned the cabinet ministers again, he spoke with a smile.

Zhu Houcong's words made Jiang Mian, Shi Yan and other cabinet ministers who had initially advocated that the emperor recognize Emperor Xiaozong as his father feel relieved.

They knew that the emperor wanted to continue to use them, which meant that they would not lose power and their descendants would not lose the favor of the court.

Liang Chu was also very pleased because the emperor recognized his contribution to balancing yin and yang, knowing that his efforts were not in vain.

Your Majesty is indeed a wise ruler who understands the hearts of his old ministers.

"For example, people like Zhao Jian, the Minister of Justice, and Zhang Chong, the Imperial Secretary, caused a huge mess. Not only did they deceive the emperor, but they also had evil intentions!"

"It must be dealt with severely!"

At this time, Zhu Houcong mentioned that Zhao Jian and others were planning to unite with several nobles to assassinate Zhang Cong and other radical proponents of ritual.

The tone is stern!

At this time, Zhao Jian and others had been imprisoned by Zhu Houcong.

Zhu Houcong had already labeled Zhao Jian and other civil servants who had committed crimes as traitors, and what awaited them would only be death and the destruction of their families.

After Zhu Houcong finished speaking, he asked the Imperial Household Department to approve the memorial on the grand ceremony, and asked the Cabinet to draft the imperial edict on the grand ceremony and promulgate it to the world.

This is the end.

The gift was officially confirmed.

Zhu Houcong did not need to change his recognition of Emperor Xiaozong as his imperial father. He only succeeded to the throne but not the heir.

This means announcing to the world that he will not strictly abide by the rules of Emperor Xiaozong.

This has to be said to be a victory.

Zhang Cong made great contributions to this victory.

Therefore, Zhu Houcong issued an edict, promoting him to the position of Junior Chancellor and lecturer in the Imperial Lectures on the grounds that he was in charge of deciding the grand ceremony, and he officially became the emperor's teacher.

But Zhu Houcong knew that Zhang Cong only provided theoretical weapons for this victory.

What truly guaranteed this victory was that Zhu Houcong had the strongest military force in the capital.

some of.

Wuding Hou Guo Xun and other nobles made indispensable contributions to this grand discussion on rituals.

However, Zhu Houcong did not expect at first that Zhang Wei, the Earl of Hui'an, and Xu Tai, the Earl of Anbian, would also defect to his side.

Therefore, he had already prepared his own troops and was ready to engage in a bloody battle with Guo Xun and others.

to this end.

Zhu Houcong specially summoned the cabinet ministers, nine officials and military leaders to come before the emperor to have a direct showdown.

and.

When he saw that Zhenping Marquis Lu Yong, Pingliang Marquis Ma Shan, and Ningjin Marquis Liu Zhao refused to support him, he was already prepared to let the Jinyiwei capture these nobles who did not support him, and then raise troops to suppress their loyal generals and their private soldiers.

But now, because Zhang Wei, the Marquis of Hui'an, and Xu Tai, the Marquis of Anbian, had defected, Zhu Houcong did not need to raise troops directly to launch a bloody military crackdown.

however.

The close associates of Lu Yong, the Earl of Zhenping, Mashan, the Earl of Pingliang, and Liu Zhao, the Earl of Ningjin, still need to be dealt with.

Since they are already disloyal, naturally the people under them cannot stay either.

otherwise.

Zhu Houcong could not completely control the military forces in the capital.

Let’s talk.

After the bureaucrats who plotted to murder Zhang Cong and other officials who advocated rituals were arrested.

Zhu Houcong issued an edict.

Let Guo Xun and Wu Wendi take the soldiers led by Gui Yong, Zhou Shangwen and Dai Yi to control the Beijing Camp Training Ground, clean up and reorganize the Beijing Camp, and eradicate the remaining traitors.

When Guo Xun and his companions arrived outside Desheng Gate and saw the troops led by Zhou Shangwen and Dai Yi, Xu Tai, the Earl of Anbian, was greatly surprised and could not help muttering to himself:

"It turns out that your majesty has already prepared his own troops!"

"These days, the Ministry of War has been sending grain and money out of the city frequently, saying that it is to support the training of militiamen in Gyeonggi Province. Now that I think about it, the money and grain from the Ministry of War must be used here."

As Guo Xun spoke, his admiration for the emperor deepened.

Zhang Wei said, "Isn't Yang Xindu's fourth brother an official in the Ministry of War? Didn't he tell his elder brother about this?"

Guo Xun just smiled faintly, and after Wu Wendi arrived, he and he ordered the siege of the Beijing camp.

It had not been a day since Zhenping Earl Lu Yong, Pingliang Earl Mashan, and Ningjin Earl Liu Zhao were captured. In addition, Zhu Houcong had just cleaned up the factory guards and the inner court, so the military confidants of these three men were still unaware of the situation in the city. They were only informed in advance by these three men to be prepared for a military rebellion when they saw the army appear.

then.

When Guo Xun and others led their troops to appear in the Beijing camp, Zhu Gang, the commander-in-chief of the camp and Liu Zhen, the nephew of Liu Zhao and the deputy commander-in-chief of the camp, saw this and simply gathered their own servants.

After Zhu Gang drew his sword, he said, "Pass the order, go to Deshengmen, obey the order of His Majesty, follow the order of Lord Bo, and ask the court to correct the ceremony!"

"Let's see who dares!"

At this time.

Guo Xun shouted loudly and came to the front with Wu Wendi, Xu Tai, Zhang Wei, Gui Yong, Zhou Shangwen and others, leading thousands of cavalry.

dong dong!

The drums beat like thunder.

At this time, Zhu Gang also saw that at the same time as Guo Xun appeared, more and more soldiers and horses appeared behind him, and they were obviously more than his own.

Liu Zhen couldn't help but ride his horse to Zhu Gang's side and said, "It's bad! Only our Lord is involved in this military remonstrance."

"Everyone kneel down and surrender!"

"Otherwise you will be killed without mercy, and your family members will be severely punished!"

Guo Xun gave an order at this time.

Without waiting for Zhu Gang's response, Liu Zhen immediately dismounted, put down his sword, and knelt on the ground.

The servants and soldiers behind him also knelt down.

Seeing this, Zhu Gang had no choice but to dismount as well.

This is the end.

These so-called remnants of the Beijing Camp rebels were all captured without bloodshed.

After being caught, Zhu Gang couldn't help but ask Guo Xun loudly:

"Marquis Wu Ding, where is our uncle now?"

Guo Xun did not answer.

in fact.

At this time, Lu Yong, the Earl of Zhenping, Ma Shan, the Earl of Pingliang, and Liu Zhao, the Earl of Ningjin, were being tortured in the imperial prison.

Jinyiwei Zhao Ai was poking a red-hot iron into the plump white flesh of the nobleman Lu Yong, causing it to sizzle and emit oil, with smoke rising in the air.

"what?!"

Lu Yong screamed in agony.

"I said!"

"You guys stop it!"

"We were instructed by Qiu Ju."

"He said, we hold the knife, the civil servants who want Your Majesty to recognize Xiao Miao as the emperor's father hold the pen, and he, Qiu Ju, is in control of the inner court Silijian, so as long as we work together, Your Majesty will be like a dough and can be manipulated at will!"

"In this way, we don't have to hand over the land and money and take the initiative to plead guilty to save our lives like Eunuch Wei. We can also rely on those civil servants to leave a good name in the world, and maybe we can even be awarded the title of marquis in the future!"

"We were also confused. We believed Qiu Ju's lies. We didn't know that the emperor was a great leader sent from heaven and we should not underestimate him."

"Please tell His Majesty that we know we were wrong and give us a chance to live, woo woo!"

As Lu Yong spoke, he began to sob and cry.

Qin Wen, the governor of the East Factory who was supervising the execution, said in a deep voice, "Record it! Then present it to Your Majesty."

……

Let’s talk.

Qiu Ju has already met Zhu Houcong's biological mother, Jiang, in Linqing.

"Your servant greets the princess!"

Qiu Ju paid great respects to Jiang.

Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you call me the Holy Mother?"

Qiu Ju replied, "Princess, there has been a public discussion in the court that the emperor should change the Queen Mother's name to Holy Mother and change the name of the princess to Imperial Aunt."

"How could my son be treated as someone else's son?"

Jiang asked sternly on the spot, and then burst into tears:

"Does this mean I have to kneel before my son and the Queen Mother after I return to the capital?"

"Princess, calm down!"

"This is a great court ceremony and must be followed. Princess, please consider the overall situation."

Qiu Ju replied in a deep voice.

Jiang couldn't help but stop crying and asked, "Is my son really determined to do this?"

"Not yet, but the court officials all hold this view."

Qiu Ju replied.

Jiang couldn't help but yell at Qiu Ju: "Since the etiquette has not been decided, how can you, a servant, make the decision without authorization?"

Qiu Ju's face became grim: "Please calm down, Princess. I am also thinking about the emperor."

"Return to Anlu! After the ceremony is finalized, we will decide whether to go to Beijing or not."

Jiang ordered at this time.

Qiu Ju couldn't help but be shocked.

Wang Jing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was also horrified.

Seeing this, Qiu Ju couldn't help but hurriedly said, "Princess, please understand the emperor's difficulties!"

"It is precisely because I sympathize with my son that I want to go back to Anlu."

In Jiang's opinion, it was better for her, a woman, to overturn the table with a stronger attitude than for Jiajing to overturn the table himself.

such.

The officials who wanted to control Jiajing would only blame this woman for being unreasonable and throwing tantrums, but would not blame Jiajing for impulsively breaking with the ministers in order to fulfill his filial piety.

"Commander Wang! Why are you still standing there? Why don't you force the princess to come to the capital!"

At this time, Qiu Ju directly ordered Wang Jing.

Jiang shouted, "How dare you! Wang Jing, don't forget, I raised you, not this dog slave!"

Qiu Ju clenched his fists and said, "Commander Wang, you must remember that you are now the emperor's man, and inviting the princess to the capital now is the emperor's decree."

"There is an imperial decree! Jinyiwei Commander Wang Jing received the order!"

Before Wang Jing could say anything, a familiar voice was heard from outside.

To explain, the protagonist did not learn from Renzong, nor did he say that he would not kill officials who plotted rebellion. The previous chapter did not even mention how the protagonist would deal with the situation. Even the protagonist himself did not appear in the previous chapter, so it cannot be said that the protagonist wanted to smooth things over.

However, it is impossible for the protagonist to kill all the civil servants of the ritualist faction just because some radical civil servants of the ritualist faction and a few nobles murdered Zhang Cong with ulterior motives, right?

If that's the case, wouldn't it be just killing indiscriminately?
Most civil servants did not break the rules, they just had different opinions from the emperor. If the emperor really killed people who disagreed with him indiscriminately, he would be a tyrant.

A protagonist who kills people indiscriminately cannot succeed in reform.

Zhang Cong and other civil servants who advocated rituals would not agree with the emperor's indiscriminate killing. They had different opinions from the ritual defenders, but that did not mean they supported the emperor's indiscriminate killing.

Secondly, eunuchs with military honors would also refuse an emperor who loved to kill people indiscriminately, as they were also afraid that the emperor would kill them indiscriminately.

In the end, the protagonist essentially became the emperor by relying on the rules of the time, not really relying on destiny. At that time, many people essentially did not believe in destiny, but only mentioned it on the surface. So if the emperor acted recklessly, they would only act more recklessly, which was not a good thing for an emperor who needed rules.

Let me mention again that in the previous chapter, those important officials who advocated that the protagonist recognize Emperor Xiaozong as his father immediately changed their minds when the situation turned against them. This is very normal!
They would not be so stupid as to not compromise after the emperor had gained maximum military power.

Also, it is normal to write that they have the idea of ​​considering the overall situation.

The Ming Dynasty lasted for more than two hundred years, so it couldn’t be that there were no famous ministers, right?


(End of this chapter)