Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

Sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, casting the ministers' intertwined shadows onto the dragon-patterned ceiling.

Those twisting, writhing shadows, set against the backdrop of gilded paintings, resembled demons clad in armor, dancing to the escalating sounds of the argument.

"presumptuous!"

Zhu Cilang suddenly straightened his clothes and stood up.

"How can such noisy disputes be tolerated in the imperial palace?"

"You who eat the king's food do not think about planning national policies or working hard for the king's affairs, but instead act like peddlers and laborers, barking and howling wildly."

The soles of the boots rolled over gold bricks.

"The nation is now on the verge of collapse, yet you lot are here in the imperial palace, engaging in verbal battles. How can such wolves be allowed to occupy the throne in the halls of power?"

Liu Kongzhao's pupils contracted sharply. He subconsciously raised his sleeve to wipe his forehead, and finally bowed deeply to the ground.

Zhu Cilang's gaze swept over the silent court officials:

"I have long ago made it clear that the selection of officials for the court should prioritize practical ability."

"Talent is the tool for governing the world, while virtue is the foundation for personal conduct. They are like a boat and oars that complement each other; if one is lacking, the boat will capsize."

His voice suddenly turned stern as he continued,

"In the past, those with talent but lacking virtue often embezzled military funds and slaughtered civilians to claim credit."

"Those who are virtuous but lack talent often engage in empty talk that leads to the downfall of the country, resulting in the collapse of armies and the fall of cities."

Outside the palace, the leaden clouds hung lower and lower, and a ray of sunlight shone precisely on the "Ten Proposals for Suppression and Appeasement" spread out on the dragon desk.

Zhu Cilang lightly tapped the memorial with his finger:

"Minister Jiang has made outstanding contributions in managing Liaodong and serving as an envoy to Korea. His achievements are evident in the reports on the desks of all the ministers."

"The 'Ten Proposals for Suppression and Appeasement' presented by Ruan is acceptable for theoretical discussions in Nanjing, but if placed on the walls of Dezhou—"

He suddenly grabbed the memorial and slammed it heavily onto the imperial desk.

"I'm afraid even Dodo's spies wouldn't be able to stop them!"

He suddenly turned around, his gaze fixed on Liu Kongzhao.

"Lord Chengyi, you recommended Commander Ruan Dacheng. Can you swear an oath to Heaven to guarantee his appointment?"

"If we delay military operations in the future, are you willing to share the blame?"

Sweat beaded on Liu Kongzhao's forehead as he said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, I am filled with fear and trepidation. I humbly submit to Your Majesty's wise judgment."

Zhu Cilang raised his sleeves and spoke loudly, the sound waves striking the golden pillar:

"The rebels are rampant, Shandong has fallen, and I am deeply worried."

"Jiang Yueguang is specially promoted to Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou to assist in military affairs."

"He was in charge of military affairs in Dengzhou and Laizhou prefectures and the islands of Liaodong, and also managed grain, provisions and land reclamation, and controlled the troops of the garrisons under his jurisdiction."

He glanced sideways at Shi Kefa.

"The Cabinet is instructed to expedite the forging of official seals."

"The Ministry of War allocated 10,000 elite soldiers, the Ministry of Revenue issued 150,000 taels of silver from the imperial granary, and intercepted 200,000 shi of grain from the grain transport."

"We have seven days to raise our flags and set off, determined to recapture Dezhou!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Upon the issuance of this decree, a subtle commotion immediately arose in the imperial court.

Almost simultaneously, Marquis Tang Guozuo of Lingbi and Earl Zhao Zhilong of Xincheng exchanged a glance, subtly bumped shoulders, and both looked at Liu Kongzhao.

Liu Kongzhao's face was ashen, suppressing his anger.

In Zhu Cilang's mind, the prestige that Jiang Yueguang had established in Korea would surely become an important asset for landing in Korea from Shandong in the future.

Such an important task can only be entrusted to Jiang Yueguang.

During the court assembly, numerous matters were discussed and decided one by one.

When no more ministers submitted memorials, the palace fell silent once more.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial stepped forward quickly, singing in high-pitched, shrill voices:

"After the audience has concluded, crack the whip and roll up the ranks!"

The official holding the whip outside the hall suddenly swung his arms in a wide arc, the long whip tearing through the air—

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

Three cracks of the whip signaled the end of the court assembly.

Zhu Cilang slightly touched his dragon-embroidered boots, about to rise from his seat—

"Officials, do not move!"

A thunderous roar suddenly exploded!

Zhu Cilang had just straightened up half an inch when he was startled by the sudden roar.

Liu Kongzhao suddenly rushed out of the court, his face flushed purple, veins bulging, and his beard bristling.

A beast-like roar came from his throat:

"A treacherous minister has emerged in the court, threatening the nation's stability. If he is not eliminated soon, it could lead to a great disaster!"

Before the words were finished, Marquis Tang Guozuo of Lingbi and Earl Zhao Zhilong of Xincheng stepped forward.

The two men stood on either side of the assembled officials, their faces solemn, seemingly displaying an air of righteous indignation.

The assembled officials in the hall were immediately shocked and looked at each other in dismay, but no one dared to utter a sound.

Liu Kongzhao, with his back to the throne, poked Zhang Shenyan's nose directly:

"How could the governorship of Dengzhou and Laizhou be entrusted to a defeated general from Korea?"

"The bloody battle in the four towns north of the Yangtze River has not yet ended, yet you have chosen pedantic scholars to fill important positions!"

"If we weaken our military today, won't we be severing the backbone of our Great Ming Dynasty tomorrow?"

Enraged, he took a step forward.

"The person recommended by Zhang Shenyan has violated the established rules of the court; he is a treacherous minister and should be executed!"

Zhang Shenyan stood tall like a pine tree, his face calm and composed, seemingly oblivious to the spittle flying from his lips.

Gao Hongtu stepped forward from the side:

"The chief minister (Zhang Shenyan) has his own considerations, so there is no need for the Earl of Chengyi to make such a fuss."

"In the imperial court, matters of state should be the priority; how can personal grudges lead to endless arguments?"

His voice was deep and resonant, like iron.

"The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for the selection and appointment of personnel, and the promotion and demotion of talents is a system established by our ancestors."

"Today's court recommendation is precisely for selecting virtuous and capable officials; how can this be considered a violation of regulations?"

As Gao Hongtu was speaking, Liu Kongzhao let out a roar—

Suddenly, a cold glint appeared in his sleeve, and a small blade, about a foot long, was pulled out.

His face was twisted and ferocious, the tip of his knife pointed directly at Zhang Shenyan.

"The treacherous minister Zhang Shenyan abused his power and corrupted the imperial court."

"Today, I, Liu Kongzhao, swear to take your life and personally behead you to uphold justice!"

After saying that, he pounced on Zhang Shenyan like a tiger.

Caught off guard, Zhang Shenyan had clearly never seen anything like this before. He paused for a moment, then hurriedly slipped to the side and disappeared into the panicked crowd of officials behind him.

Liu Kongzhao acted as if he were insane, chasing after a rabbit like a mad wolf, wielding a blade.

In an instant, the python robe fluttered, the jade tablet swayed wildly, and golden threads flung out dazzling golden light amidst the chaos.

Upon seeing this, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, Han Zanzhou, let out a shrill shout that pierced the air:

"Has there ever been such court regulations in the history of the imperial court?"

He strode forward, brandishing his jade whisk.

"Lord Chengyi, as an important official of the court, you must not be rude."

Liu Kongzhao ignored him, his eyes fixed only on the elusive blue figure, his anger growing even stronger.

The blade flashed swiftly in the slanted light, eliciting a chorus of horrified gasps.

------

Such an absurd thing actually happened in history.

According to the "Southern Chronicles of the Late Ming Dynasty":

On the 23rd (Gengxu day), after the morning court session, Kong Zhao led Tang Guozuo, Zhao Zhilong, and other meritorious officials...

He summoned the nine high-ranking officials and censors to the court, berated them for their reluctance to speak, and demanded that they be expelled.

It is said that "to avenge the humiliation, eliminate the evil, and prevent the spread of the Yangtze River, all the officials of the court should devote their full attention to this task."

Today they talk about recommending officials, tomorrow they talk about promotions; they neglect military officials and exclusively select civil officials, forming cliques and engaging in favoritism.

The recommended Wu Sheng is contrary to established laws; he is truly a treacherous minister! Be careful what you say, Li Ban cannot distinguish right from wrong.

Grand Secretary Gao Hongtu said, "The chief ministers have their own priorities; why rush into a palace dispute?"

Kong Zhao took out a small blade from his sleeve and spoke cautiously to Ban.

He wept and cursed Chen Chou, determined to kill him with his own hands.

The eunuch Han Zanzhou rebuked him, saying, "There has never been such a court rule before!" The matter was then stopped.

Historically, the Hongguang Emperor issued an edict stating:

"Civil and military officials should live in harmony and avoid favoritism and infighting."

After Liu Kongzhao verbally abused and chased Zhang Shenyan in court, although Emperor Hongguang intervened to stop Liu Kongzhao's behavior, he was not punished.

From then on, Zhang Shenyan deeply felt the chaos and infighting within the court, and became disillusioned with it. He submitted four memorials requesting retirement, and was finally granted permission to retire.