Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 17 What is ancestral rule?
Zhu Youjian's voice was not loud, and his tone even carried a hint of nonchalance.

These few words silenced the officials who had just been pleading for Tian Ergeng.

They never expected it.

The Emperor's actions are so extreme, he wants to eradicate the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard!

It should be noted that, apart from Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there were several hundred people in total, from the deputy commander to the captains.

These hundreds of people were not ordinary civilians whose lives were as insignificant as grass, and could not be killed without consequence.

These people were legitimate officials of the Ming Dynasty.

Does the Emperor intend to punish all of these hundreds of people?!
Apart from the founding emperor, no other emperor of the Ming Dynasty has ever been known to have acted so recklessly.

The Emperor has only been on the throne for a little over ten days. How could he possibly, and how dare he?!
Isn't he afraid that this incident will destabilize the court?!
Despite this sentiment in everyone's hearts, not a single person dared to stand up and plead for mercy.

If the emperor is of a softer temperament, then they could forcefully use his will by having everyone kneel down.

But given the Emperor's swift and decisive style of action, standing up now might immediately lead to him being labeled as an accomplice of Tian Ergeng.

The key is.

If the emperor claimed to be an accomplice and asked to be investigated by the Eastern Depot, someone would actually carry it out immediately.

Wei Zhongxian was watching closely from the sidelines. Given this eunuch's style of doing things, he would not only carry out the orders, but he would probably do even more outrageous things.

Not to mention that murderous-looking boy named Xiao Hongzi, everyone knew all too well how ruthless this little wolf cub who had just tasted the sweetness of victory could be.

He dared to behead people right there in the court at the emperor's command.

Let's take it one step at a time.
At worst, I'll just earn less money in the future.

Think about this.

Most officials felt a pang of regret and remorse.

When the late emperor passed away.

We should put aside the struggles between different parties and unite to send Wei Zhongxian, this eunuch, to serve the country.

In this way, it would be impossible for the emperor to train a group of personal guards so quickly.

Because of this one bad move, now one mistake leads to a series of setbacks.

Fuck!
at the same time.

Zhang Weixian, who had been pretending to be dead and trying not to make his presence known since the morning court session, was also extremely shocked while standing in the ranks of military officers.

He never expected that the emperor, who would not attend court, would turn his blade directly on the behemoth that is the Embroidered Uniform Guard once he does attend.

There hadn't been a single word about this incident before it happened.

If the Emperor can seize this opportunity to take down the Embroidered Uniform Guard completely.

Then governing the Beijing garrison would be a piece of cake.

But is it really that easy to accomplish this in the imperial court today?
as predicted.

Just as Zhang Weixian was worried, Grand Secretary Shi Fenglai stepped forward.

Shi Fenglai faced the dragon throne, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I, Shi Fenglai, have a different opinion on the matter of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"I believe that we should arrest and interrogate Tian Ergeng first. At present, there is neither impeachment nor specific evidence against the others."

"If all the members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are imprisoned in the Eastern Depot, it may cause internal turmoil, which would be detrimental to the stability of our Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhang Ruitu quickly stepped forward and echoed, "Your Majesty, I believe that what Grand Secretary Shi said makes some sense."

"Moreover, if such a thing were to be done, it would be extremely detrimental to His Majesty's reputation."

"The people of the world will probably spread rumors that Your Majesty abuses punishments as soon as you ascend the throne. We, your subjects, would rather weep blood than see this happen."

Li Guopu also stepped forward to offer advice after the two had finished speaking:
"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and should prioritize benevolence and compassion in your actions. If you rashly initiate a major purge, it may cause an uproar throughout the land, which would be detrimental to the state."

"We urge Your Majesty to consider the importance of the nation and rescind your decree, and to think thrice before acting!"

Faced with the advice of the three Grand Secretaries, Zhu Youjian simply uttered two words: "No." The three Grand Secretaries immediately felt as if they had used all their strength but had ultimately thrown a punch that missed its mark.

According to past practice.

After these three decisive moves, even the most stubborn emperor should have to retract his decree.

But now the emperor seems to be too lazy to even bother with them.

This left them at a loss for what to do.

no way.

As officials, they could advise the emperor, outwardly comply with the emperor's orders but inwardly defy them, and even use various underhanded methods to warn the emperor behind his back.

But they simply cannot openly disobey the emperor's orders.

At this time.

Grand Secretary Huang Lijie has begun to make a final stand.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something from the bottom of his heart to say."

"The matter involving Tian Ergeng and the Jinyiwei is too numerous to be investigated. According to ancestral rules, a joint trial should be held to clarify the case."

"As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Tian Ergeng should recuse himself from the Northern Garrison and should not participate in the trial."

"Therefore, officials should be drawn from the Eastern Depot, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate to jointly conduct the trial; otherwise, it would be a violation of the ancestral system established by the founding emperor."

Listening to the four cabinet elders' high-sounding words, Wei Zhongxian felt a surge of anger.

Well, those damn bastards, they always put on a show of respect for us, even building a shrine for us.

So, behind our backs, they don't treat our family like human beings at all!

Knowing full well that the censor who submitted the memorial today is one of our family members, he's even bringing up the phrase "ancestral rule"!

Doesn't he know just how destructive the ancestral rules are?

Since the facade has been completely torn off.

Wei Zhongxian immediately retaliated by accusing Wei Zhongxian of the same thing:

"Lord Huang, His Majesty, with the authority of the throne, has already stated that this matter will be entirely handled by the Eastern Depot. Yet you jump out at this moment to talk about a joint trial by multiple parties. Are you trying to defy the imperial decree and deceive the emperor?!"

Huang Lijie ignored Wei Zhongxian and simply knelt on the ground, looking at Zhu Youjian with a worried expression.

Bring out the "ancestral system".

Even the most autocratic emperor would have reservations.

If more forces get involved in this political vortex, there will still be room for maneuver.

The Prime Minister has already stepped forward to express his opinion.

Those officials who had initially pleaded for Tian Ergeng now knelt on the ground in droves, as if they had found their pillar of support.

Although he no longer had the courage to openly plead for mercy, he still had the courage to kneel down.

Zhu Youjian looked at these people and couldn't help but feel a little bored.

To be honest, this level of political opponent didn't interest him at all.

What is ancestral rule?
He had only ever heard of the victor being king and the loser being villain.

Then Zhu Youjian said expressionlessly, "No."

Upon hearing the Emperor's order, Wei Zhongxian immediately knelt and kowtowed: "This servant obeys the decree, this servant will go and arrest the person right now!"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly.

Immediately afterwards, several eunuchs dragged the ashen-faced Tian Ergeng away.

Wang Chengen, who was still reeling from the Emperor's swift and decisive actions, understood Cao Huachun's signal and loudly proclaimed, "Court adjourned!"

(End of this chapter)