The Holy Emperor of Ming

Chapter 153: The guilt lies with me
Doesn't this anger His Majesty?

The three of them were secretly annoyed for a while, but they also understood that the ultimate reason was that although the cabinet was in fact the head of all officials, the ministers of the six ministries were still dissatisfied.

Because the name is not right and the words are not smooth.

Moreover, under the extremely powerful majesty of His Majesty, the cabinet is not strong enough.

If the cabinet is not strong enough, the ministers of the six ministries will not obey it.

Of course they have to step forward for such a big event.

Otherwise, you will be cursed by students all over the world and even ruined.

The influence of Duke Yansheng and the Kong family is so terrifying.

Liu Jin and Cao Youxiang, who were facing the wall, couldn't help but exchange glances with each other, revealing a hint of disdain.

madness.

"Are you here to ask me why I arrested the father and son of the Kong family? Are you here to plead for them?" Zhu Houzhao asked directly without waiting for everyone to salute.

The anger was not concealed at all, which made Ma Wensheng and others feel weak immediately and dared not respond.

But thinking about the influence of the Kong family, he nodded reluctantly.

"Then you all know that Kong Hongxu killed innocent people indiscriminately when he was young, and that the Kong family did many things to harm the people?" Zhu Houzhao asked again, suppressing his anger.

Ma Wensheng and others really wanted to say that they didn’t know, but did they really not know anything?

What if I deceive Your Majesty at this time?
They instinctively didn't dare to do so, so they could only bow their heads and remain silent.

"Good, very good, hahaha." Zhu Houzhao laughed angrily and said through gritted teeth: "These are the Grand Secretaries and Ministers of my Ming Dynasty.

Knowing someone is committing a crime but doing nothing about it.

As soon as I sent people to arrest him, he came here immediately to question and plead for mercy.

Are you officials of my Ming Dynasty? Or officials of the Kong family?"

The last sentence was like a thunderclap, exerting terrifying pressure on Liu Jian and others.

More than a dozen people knelt down immediately, their faces turning pale.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I have something to say." Liu Jian spoke first helplessly.

"Speak." Zhu Houzhao glared at him, as if to say that if you don't say it well, I will never let you go.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed heard about what happened to Duke Yansheng when he was young, that he killed innocent people indiscriminately.

But there was no real evidence, and Emperor Xianzong did not punish Duke Yansheng for it at the time. It was only when he exceeded his obligations later that he was stripped of his title and his brother inherited it.

In the eleventh year of the late emperor's reign, the officials below said that Duke Yansheng had corrected his behavior, and the late emperor pardoned him.

In the 16th year, the former Duke Yansheng died without a child, so the emperor had no choice but to restore his title.

Your Majesty, legally speaking, Duke Yansheng made mistakes when he was young, but he has already been punished by Emperor Xianzong.

After the correction, it was approved by the late emperor.

We can't arrest him now for his past mistakes." Liu Jian said calmly, one sentence at a time.

"Oh, you are putting all the blame on my father and grandfather?" Zhu Houzhao sneered, feeling disgusted in his heart, "What else, don't talk to me about legal principles and evidence.

I tell you, my father and grandfather are confused. They are not afraid of the influence of the Kong family. I am not afraid.

Anyone who dares to kill the people of the Ming Dynasty must die, no matter who he is or how much time has passed.

Evidence? Oh, it's been decades, and you're telling me evidence? Do you think I'm a pedantic person?"

Liu Jian felt a chill in his heart, and he deeply felt the disgust from His Majesty.

Over the past year or so, so many reforms have taken place in the court, and he has dissuaded them almost every time, but Your Majesty has never been disgusted with him.

He didn't expect that he would be disgusted by this.

But he had no choice, he had to say these words, otherwise they would have no basis for coming here to inquire and plead.

And he is the head of all officials, so he must speak.

“I would never dare to put the blame on the late emperor and Emperor Xianzong, but Your Majesty asked me why I came to ask questions and plead for mercy, and this is one of the reasons.

As for the affairs of the Kong family, I dare not deceive Your Majesty. We have heard some of them, more or less.

But Your Majesty, even if you knew, who in the whole court would dare to investigate?" Liu Jian had no choice but to speak the truth directly.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes shrank slightly. Don't dare?

“From the time of Taizu to the present day, illegal things have always been happening in the Kong family.

But they are descendants of sages, and all scholars in the Ming Dynasty are disciples of Confucius.

If we investigate the Kong family, wouldn't that be betraying our teacher and ancestors?
Your Majesty, although I know you don't like to hear it, the influence of the Kong family is spread throughout the world and we must not act rashly.

Otherwise, there will be turmoil in the government and the country, which will make the enemies happy and the relatives sad.

I ask Your Majesty to reconsider this." Liu Jian bowed his head and said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider." Li Dongyang and others kowtowed.

"No need to think twice, I have already made a decision." Zhu Houzhao said without hesitation: "Everyone get up first."

Liu Jian and others were stunned. They were asked to stand up. Does that mean they are no longer angry?

A dozen people couldn't guess, but still stood up.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes began with Liu Jian, and he swept over everyone one by one, saying seriously, "You guys know the truth but don't report it, and you find so many excuses. I hate you very much."

The blunt words made the dozen people's faces even paler.

"But..." Zhu Houzhao's voice was a little low again, revealing a bit of helplessness and regret, "I know that the biggest reason for the matter is not you.

It was wrong from the beginning. Taizu was concerned about this and that and did not dare to directly destroy the Kong family, and even gave them the title of Yanshenggong.

Until my father, no one dared to do so.

Even the bosses don’t dare to do it, let alone you. I understand.

So this time, I will spare you."

Although the words are vulgar and disrespectful to ancestors.

But Liu Jian and the others were moved. Be lenient to yourself and strict to others.

This is the nature of emperors of all dynasties. Even a kind-hearted person like the late emperor was like this in his family and in other aspects.

How could they not be moved when Your Majesty could understand and appreciate their broad-mindedness?
All the people are guilty, and the fault lies with me.

Many emperors would say this in their edicts of repentance, but they would never really believe it.

Only Your Majesty truly agrees with this statement.

For everything, we should first look for the reasons from the boss, bah, from the emperor as the leader.

But they also felt the terror of His Majesty once again.

It is precisely because Your Majesty believes and agrees with that statement that he will strictly demand himself to do things.

How to do things?
Your Majesty has always been clear in his actions and has stricter requirements for officials to do their work.

In fact, when the late emperor was alive, he also had some feelings that everyone was guilty and the fault was mine.

But the late emperor could not be strict with himself in everything, such as with his family.

More importantly, there is no ability to impose stricter demands on officials.

Then in this case, things will get worse.

To put it bluntly, the late emperor was a good guy and easy to bully.

Invisibly, I was forced by all parties in the court to admit that all the crimes were committed by me.

Your Majesty is different. You take the initiative and have the ability to impose stricter demands on officials.

In this situation, it is like the boundless sky, vast, ruthless, and terrifying, making people feel deeply in awe and yet willing to submit.

At this time, Liu Jian and others were even more respectful.

For a time, even the influence of the Kong family was put aside.

They all said in unison: "We thank your Majesty for your understanding."

"My father, my grandfather, and my ancestors didn't dare, but I do.

It's just right, I will correct the mistake they made at once." Zhu Houzhao clenched his hands and spoke in an unruly and overbearing manner.

Liu Jian and others immediately realized that the Kong family would be severely punished.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask, how do you want to deal with Duke Yansheng and the Kong family?

The Kong family is related to the faith of the students of the Ming Dynasty. I implore Your Majesty to act with caution. "Liu Jian said solemnly.

"I am very cautious." Zhu Houzhao said without any doubt.

Suddenly, he raised his eyes and looked outside the Qianqing Palace, and even outside the imperial palace.

"Ah."

A cold laugh made everyone even more frightened.

"What a great Kong family! Very good! There are enough people here. I will help you again." Zhu Houzhao sneered, "Let the Jinyiwei take the Kong father and son to Chengtian Gate.

In addition, tell all the officials and all the scholars in the city.

I will deal with Kong Hongxu publicly and let them all come and watch.

Citizens who want to come and see it may also come.”

After Wei Jinzhong agreed, he immediately went to convey the order.

Liu Jian and others felt increasingly uneasy. His Majesty was going to make a bigger fuss and let the world know about it.

I'm afraid things won't be as minor as they hope.

"His Majesty--"

"enough."

They were about to persuade him further but were interrupted by Zhu Houzhao with a wave of his hand.

He scolded domineeringly: "I have already spared you. You just need to watch what happens next. I will bear all the consequences.

I have already dared to do so. If you still don’t dare, then you are not worthy of being an official of the Ming Dynasty.”

Liu Jian and others felt helpless.

"You guys go out first and gather at Chengtian Gate." Zhu Houzhao waved his hand.

Liu Jian and others had no choice but to bow and leave.

As soon as they left the Qianqing Palace, everyone looked even more sad and depressed.

"Your Majesty is obviously unwilling to give up. What should we do?" Minister of Rites Zhang Sheng sighed.

All eyes were focused on Liu Jian and Li Dongyang.

Liu Jian was the chief minister of the cabinet, Li Dongyang was the second chief minister, and they had the closest relationship with the father and son of the Kong family.

They still have to speak first.

Liu Jian glanced at Li Dongyang, who was unusually silent and faintly desperate, and sighed softly, "Let's wait and see."

He knew that Li Dongyang was finished.

Because he did not confess or apologize to His Majesty just now, this last chance is gone.

And Your Majesty, you didn’t mention it before, so you probably didn’t know.

But we will find out soon enough.

What will Your Majesty think then?
In the Qianqing Palace, as soon as Liu Jian and the others left, Liu Jin spoke up: "Your Majesty, Li Daxueshi and the Kong family are relatives by marriage, and Kong Wenshao is his son-in-law."

Zhu Houzhao was startled, but then he was more receptive. He took the records that he had thrown away and checked them, and said coldly, "Li Dongyang didn't say that just now. The Kong family is really powerful. What powerful relatives do they have?"

"Kong Hongxu is the son-in-law of the late Grand Secretary Li Zhi. I heard that the Kong family is also connected with the Marquis of Jianchang and has a marriage contract.

If Kong Wenshao has a son and the Marquis of Jianchang has a daughter of marriageable age, the marriage will be formally arranged." Liu Jin said without hesitation.

"Hmph, none of them are good." Zhu Houzhao hurriedly read all the records and threw them away. The murderous intent in his eyes almost took shape.

(Chapter two.)
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(End of this chapter)