Chapter 96: The mountains are like the sea, the setting sun is like blood
Sun Yizhen was taken directly to the Censorate.

In addition to the people, there was also evidence of Sun Yizhen's crimes collected by the Jinyiwei and Dongchang who had been secretly watching him for nearly a year.

When Ge Shouli saw this, he would naturally understand the emperor's attitude.

Even when Sun Yizhen entered the palace, the people who were going to confiscate his property were already on their way to his mansion - this was why Li Jin dared to take the money but not do the job.

But in the end, this was just Zhu Yijun taking advantage of the situation to suppress a minor character whom he had long disliked.

The tricky things are still to come - the huge event in Huguang is just beginning to show its clues.

Zhu Yijun chewed on the four words "Yueyang Palace" and slowly sat back on the throne.

The fact that the Huguang incident involved the royal family did not surprise him. In fact, it was within his expectations.

Anyone who is capable of doing something like burning the imperial envoy must not only have great power and energy, but also have to have extensive roots and deep roots in the local area.

The officials who are on the run will definitely not meet this condition.

Just as Xu Jie had suggested before, the exile period for officials is at most two months, and at most two years.

His term of office is too short, he has not been operating in the local area for long enough, and his interests are not deeply intertwined, so there is no reason for him to take risks.

As for the local tyrants, they are even worse.

Just the idea of ​​supporting thousands of bandits is not something that the gentry can do.

He also had no ability to know Zhang Chucheng's whereabouts clearly and let Yueyang Guards and Xunjiang Camp turn a blind eye.

At most, they are accomplices, some use money, some provide shelter, in short, it is impossible for them to take the lead.

In Huguang, the only people who could meet the above conditions were members of the royal family.

As the "Central Land of the World", Huguang controls Yong and Yang, connects Guangdong and Henan, borders Jianghan, and encompasses Hunan and Xiang. Naturally, there is no shortage of princes and dukes.

The number of vassal kings in Huguang accounted for 40% of the total number of princes, ranking first among all provincial governments, and was called "the chessboard of the royal family and vassal states."

The power is vast, the status is high, and the roots are firmly planted in the land for decades or even hundreds of years.

Whether in terms of strength or motive, members of the royal family are the primary suspects.

Of course, there is another more important reason, which almost makes the royal family a foregone conclusion - that is stupidity!
Only someone who is stupid enough would dare to commit such a crime; only someone who is stupid enough would still harbor a hope of success after committing the crime.

How stupid are the royal family of this dynasty?

If most of the nobles in this dynasty are trash, then the royal family members can basically be called idiots.

Take the cases he had witnessed since ascending the throne.

Zhu Jingyu, the lieutenant of the Jingjiang Palace in Guangxi, killed his nephew and set fire to his house to burn his body, all because his nephew looked at his concubine for a second longer.

Also in the Jingjiang Palace, Zhu Bang beat his grandmother to death because he "violated the ban and minted copper coins privately". When his grandmother found out, she scolded him and ordered him to stop, so he killed her.

Zhu Yijun was so shocked that his jaw dropped.

At first, I thought that perhaps it was because the Jingjiang Palace was thousands of miles away from the capital, and it would take years for envoys to travel back and forth. The emperor was far away, so he committed such a ridiculous act.

Later, I learned about the stupid things these royal family members did one after another, and finally I calmed down.

The Shandong Provincial Government, the General of the Lushan Palace, killed his uncle because of a quarrel.

General Fengguo of Prince Qingcheng's palace concealed his father's death in order to collect his salary and ask for rewards.

The funniest thing is that the congratulatory letter from Prince Qingcheng's Palace that Zhu Yijun received last year was written by this person in his father's tone.

There is also the Henan Provincial Administration.

The former General Fuguo of Prince Wu's Palace and General Fengguo of Prince Ruyang's Palace were responsible for supporting bandits, robbing merchants and even looting official materials!

After the truth was revealed, the latter intended to go out to sea to accumulate strength for a comeback, but he was caught by the yamen runners when he was trying to climb over the wall.

It can be seen that it is not a matter of the emperor being far away, but simply a matter of low mental status.

Only this group of idiots would display intelligence that is not commensurate with their abilities when they have the corresponding abilities.

If they really did something like burning the imperial envoy, it would be consistent with Zhu Yijun's perception of this group of people.

As to whether it was done by a member of the royal family, we need to investigate it thoroughly.

Zhu Yijun collected his scattered thoughts and looked at Zhang Siwei: "Minister Zhang, who is the commander of Huguang now?"

Calling him Shangshu instead of Zhang Qing is just to distinguish him from Zhang Juzheng. Well, it doesn't mean to look down on Zhang Siwei.

Military affairs have always been controlled by the Jin Party. Previously, it was Yang Bo who was involved, and now it has to be Zhang Siwei who is involved.

Zhang Siwei was watching a show and had no intention of participating in the meeting. When he was suddenly called upon, he was stunned.

Fortunately, he buried his head and his expression was not obvious.

After all, he was a Jinshi, so he quickly adjusted his mood.

Zhang Siwei stepped out of the line and saluted, then replied, "Your Majesty, the current commander of Huguang is Zhan En, who was promoted to Huguang in February last year from the deputy commander of the Xixi Dusi Office."

Don't ask him why a Minister of Rites is so familiar with the Ministry of War. Anyway, it was not him who took money from Yang Bo to get people promoted last year.

Zhu Yijun nodded and said calmly, "Minister Zhang is now signing cabinet affairs on behalf of Elder Yang. I will ask you directly, what does Zhan En's memorial say?"

With such a big incident happening, the three local officials, the censor, the governor, and the general all submitted reports to the emperor, explaining the whole story.

Among them, the governor and the censor were imperial envoys who could report to the emperor, and memorials were directly delivered to the emperor by the Tongzhengshi.

As one of the three offices, the Military Command Office had to submit memorials to the Cabinet first.

Zhang Siwei had prepared a plan in advance and answered fluently: "Your Majesty, Zhan En said that he was guilty of negligence in this matter and he would rather die than refuse. He only hopes to atone for his sins."

Zhu Yijun asked: "In his opinion, is there any problem with Yuezhou Guards? "

Linxiang County is located in Yuezhou and is also the location of Yuezhou Wei.

The bandits openly attacked the county government office and killed the imperial envoy within the local area. They were either rotten to the core or they did it on purpose.

What Zhu Yijun asked was naturally the latter.

Zhang Siwei recalled and said, "Your Majesty, Zhan En did not mention this."

Zhu Yijun looked straight at Zhang Siwei and asked, "Does Minister Zhang think this matter has anything to do with the Yuezhou Guard?"

Zhang Siwei paused.

He secretly glanced at the emperor's expression and his mind started working rapidly.

The investigation hasn't started yet, does anyone know if Yuezhou Wei is related?

No matter how you answer, it’s not wrong.

However, the problem is not what the facts are, but what the emperor's purpose is in asking this question.

Zhang Siwei pondered for a while, but still couldn't figure out the emperor's intention.

However, this matter has nothing to do with him or the people of Jin. Even if the investigation is thorough, it will not hinder the Jin merchants from doing business.

It is better for the central government to focus on Huguang than to keep an eye on Xuanda every day and make people nervous.

Thinking of this, Zhang Siwei made a decision.

He replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, I think...it might be possible."

"The incident happened in Linxiang County, which is within the territory of Yuezhou Prefecture. I don't believe that the Yuezhou Guards were completely unaware of the incident."

"Of course, this is just my opinion, and it cannot be verified. We still need to send an imperial envoy to investigate before we can reach a conclusion."

Zhu Yijun nodded.

Suddenly he said, "In that case... I want to select a small battalion from the Beijing camp and exchange garrison duties with the Yueyang Guards. What do you think?"

Zhang Siwei's eyelids twitched!
It turns out the emperor is waiting here!

A small battalion has 3,000 people, and a guard also has 3,000 people. No wonder they asked if there were any problems with the Yueyang guard!

However, whether out of his own heart or because of his in-laws, cronies, and subordinates, no one wanted to see the emperor interfere too much in military affairs.

Zhang Siwei immediately put aside his indifferent attitude and became alert.

He immediately advised: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Please allow me to think it over again and again and go back to the cabinet to discuss it with Minister Wang of the Ministry of War."

He was not sure whether the emperor was worried about the situation in Huguang or simply taking advantage of the Huguang incident to make a move.

But no matter what, I am naturally alert and should not agree to it easily.

Zhu Yijun did not give in and pressed on, "What do you think is wrong, Minister Zhang?"

Zhang Siwei considered his words for a long time.

He said with embarrassment, "Your Majesty, the matter of rotation of garrisons has existed before. Since the Hongxi period, when the border defense was severe, the Beijing garrison was drawn to the border, and even the officers and soldiers accompanying the emperor were no exception."

"After Xuande, the Beijing camp often recruited officers and soldiers from various garrisons to go to Beijing in shifts to train in the camp in order to replenish its troops."

"But, it was abolished by imperial decree at that time because the malpractices were difficult to stop."

In terms of talent and wisdom, Zhang Siwei is not bad either.

He can also tell stories about the dynasties and the evolution of the system with ease.

Zhu Yijun remained silent and asked curiously, "What are the drawbacks?"

Zhang Siwei said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Beijing garrison and the local garrisons are rotated, and the soldiers and generals are often unaware, making it difficult to dispatch them."

"In the third year of Xuande, Xue Lu reported this matter, saying that after the rotation of garrisons, 'it is inevitable that there will be some errors in the arrangement of camps and formations.'"

"At the same time, the officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp, although they went to the local areas, their hearts were still in the capital. They were often lazy and procrastinated and did not obey orders."

"During the Zhengtong period, border defense was even delayed because of this."

Reasons can always be found. After all, no matter what policy it is, there will always be problems. It is also a science to magnify it in which direction.

There is no shortage of stories about the Qing Dynasty.

The other three ministers, who had been informed by the emperor in advance, did not interrupt, but just watched quietly with different expressions.

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It's not a large-scale rotation. A small battalion only has 3,000 people. It's not as serious as you say."

"Besides, this matter has its reasons. You have heard it just now. Yuezhou Prefecture, Yueyang Palace, Yuezhou Guards..."

"The local authorities have colluded to the point of killing the imperial envoy without first replacing the Yuezhou guards. How can I feel at ease sending someone there?"

"I remember that during the Zhengtong period, when Deng Maoqi of Fujian rebelled, the Beijing garrison was also dispatched to suppress the rebellion, right?"

Naturally, Zhang Siwei is not the only one who can find the stories of the Qing Dynasty.

Zhang Siwei paused for a moment, then changed direction and advised, "Your Majesty, I beg you to allow me to return to the cabinet and discuss with Minister Wang of the Ministry of War, and then report in detail."

After saying this, he looked at the emperor sincerely and consoled him heartily: "Your Majesty, when Emperor Yingzong led the army in person, he was too hasty. 'The order was issued two days before it was issued'. Now that it involves military affairs, I dare not speak lightly. Please allow me to think carefully." Zhu Yijun paused, and it was obvious that he was not calm. After all, he even brought up the story of Emperor Yingzong.

After a long while, Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "You should go to the Ministry of War now, discuss the result, and ask Minister Wang to come to Xiyuan to see me."

The people who accompanied Hai Rui to Nanzhili at the beginning were no more than 800 guards, and they were the ones set up by Gu Huan's private soldiers. He only informed the cabinet and directly bypassed the Ministry of War.

But now, if one wants to transfer a small battalion of 3,000 men, one can no longer go beyond the Ministry of War.

Zhang Siwei let out a sigh of relief and quickly bowed and took his leave.

Zhu Yijun told Lü Diaoyang, "Mr. Lü, you should also go to the Ministry of War."

Zhang Siwei is too selfish and must be driven away.

Lu Diaoyang also followed and bowed to take his leave.

Zhu Yijun held out his hand to support them and watched them leave.

He turned around and looked at the Hanlin and Zhongshu Sheren in the hall: "You can go down first."

Shen Li and others put down their work, bowed, and left quietly.

When everyone in the hall had left, Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi looked at each other and were about to leave.

Zhu Yijun stood up, walked to the first and second assistants, shook their hands, and said softly, "Gentlemen."

They were both startled.

Hastily responded: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "There is nothing difficult that needs your help, don't be nervous."

He always plays the emotional card to force the two ministers to do difficult things, and now it has become a conditioned reflex.

Zhu Yijun sighed and continued, "I just suddenly felt a little emotional."

"I have once again realized how difficult it is to make a breakthrough and finally understand why there are so many people in the world who give up halfway."

Zhang Juzheng didn't know what he was thinking of, and his expression suddenly changed.

He hastily tried to comfort him, "Your Majesty is a man of unshakable wisdom. How can you be easily shaken by this matter?"

He spoke so quickly and urgently that his tongue almost got tied.

Gao Yi was a beat slower and also realized that the emperor was in a bad mood.

He grabbed the emperor's hand and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Chucheng was a Jinshi selected by me personally when I was the Minister of Rites. He was also my student in the Hanlin Academy."

"After this incident, I was heartbroken and couldn't sleep all night."

"That's why we need to clear out these bugs and restore order to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Yijun quickly shook his head and said comfortingly: "It's not that I want to give up, but I feel bitter and can't help but feel nostalgic."

"I have been on the throne for only one year, but I don't know how many hardships I have encountered."

"Since the Earl of Ding'an left the court, people have been constantly disparaging me. One said that I was unfilial for driving away the regents, and another said that the Earl of Ding'an was granted the title without any merit, and that it was just a coincidence for the treacherous ministers and the incompetent monarch."

"After the performance evaluation system was implemented, officials resigned one after another, hoping to damage the reputation of the system. Some people with bad intentions set strict performance evaluation targets and criticized their subordinates, hoping to arouse dissatisfaction among officials and make them kneel down and cry in pain."

"Then I saw that the finances were scarce, and I wanted to send an imperial envoy to inspect Lianghuai. Needless to say, this was at odds with the cabinet, but just as I had any idea, someone burned down my mother's bedroom. After the trip, officials kept reporting to me, creating a wave of public opinion in an attempt to stop me."

"After Hai Rui arrived in Lianghuai and Xu Jie caused trouble, I persuaded all the royal family members, nobles, and high-ranking officials one by one. During this period, I don't know how many people excitedly offered silver during the day and cursed secretly at night. The assassin Wang Dachen who broke into the palace in the first month of the year is still unknown. I am worried about the overall situation and did not let the East Factory make it public."

"Then the Japanese pirates in the southeast did not stop, and the border troubles resurfaced in Ji and Liao. The Tuman Khan was eyeing them covetously, but I only saw that the Beijing camp was weak and wanted to rectify it, but there were many obstacles. The nobles were dissatisfied, and the Ministry of War was obstructing. They are still fighting for the position of assistant manager of the Beijing camp."

"I thought that with the salt money from Lianghuai, it was time to make some adjustments, but unexpectedly, such a heinous case as burning the imperial envoy happened. My royal family members didn't care about me at all and slapped me in the face!"

"Now if I want a small battalion of soldiers, I still have to look at the faces of Zhang Siwei and Wang Chonggu."

"In the future, we will have to open up shipping, change the tax system, measure the land, settle border affairs... I don't know how many people will oppose me!"

"It is difficult, just like trekking through mountains and rivers, the road is long and difficult."

"What do you mean by the emperor? His words are as good as the law. Even I find it ridiculous."

"My job as an emperor is very hard!"

Zhu Yijun finished his speech, holding the hands of the two cabinet ministers, and said earnestly: "Fortunately, you two gentlemen have never left me and have supported me hand in hand..."

“Students, thank you so much!”

After saying this, he bowed as a disciple.

The two ministers hurriedly tried to help the emperor up, but did not step aside.

Zhang Juzheng's expression was moved, but he still warned with the dignity of a teacher: "Your Majesty."

"Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have been frugal and cut down on waste, and the palace's financial expenditure has been greatly reduced. I don't know how many people in the Ministry of Revenue are praising your majesty."

"As for the daily lectures, Your Majesty personally conducted the assessments, setting an example for all officials, and personally ordered the treasury to pay out money to subsidize the performance of all officials. Can the slander of those who failed be compared to the praise of those who passed?"

"Although I thought that the Lianghuai Salt Administration should not be changed lightly, but after your majesty insisted on it, the cabinet also fully assisted. As for the subsequent backlash, wasn't it also expected by your majesty and me?"

"As for the selfishness of the ministers, it is the ethics of heaven and earth, and it is natural. Your Majesty does not need to be too concerned. Although Wang Chonggu has selfishness, he is also a capable minister. Although Xu Jie has selfishness, he is also far-sighted and can make plans for Your Majesty. Even I have selfishness, but Your Majesty tolerates it, doesn't he?"

The teachings are earnest and heartfelt, and you can tell they come from the bottom of their hearts.

Gao Yi at the side also took over the conversation directly and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, in the affairs of the world, you are in me and I am in you."

"Oppose today, support tomorrow, help with this matter, and hinder other matters. Yang Bo supports the opening of the Sino-French Treaty, but does not allow outsiders to interfere in the Ministry of War. Isn't this the reason?"

"And your majesty's position is to reconcile yin and yang, sort out the universe, and make these people work for your majesty. Why should you be discouraged?"

"We, the ministers, are able to do our best to reform the old and establish the new, and to make plans for the Ming Dynasty, precisely because we are impressed by your majesty's virtue."

"If it weren't for Your Majesty, how much use would my humble ability have?"

"So, it's not your Majesty who should thank us, but we, the subjects, who should be grateful to your Majesty."

After saying this, the two ministers bowed respectfully to the emperor.

The emperor and his ministers bowed to each other in silence.

After a long while, Zhu Yijun spoke again, his expression had turned solemn: "The two gentlemen and I are the monarch and subject respectively, but in fact we are teacher and student."

"The teacher's teachings will naturally be remembered by students."

"If you two are of the same mind as me, I will not be afraid of offending others and enduring a bad reputation."

At this point, he nodded heavily: "I intend to take this opportunity to scrape the bone and cure the poison, and then change the vassal state!"

……

Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi, who were willing to fall into the trap, walked out of Chengguang Hall together.

The two looked at each other.

Gao Yi was the first to speak: "Prime Minister, since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been benevolent to the people and sincere to your subjects. This is truly rare."

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and did not respond.

He understood that this was Gao Yi trying to make amends for the emperor, saying that the emperor treated his subjects with sincerity and that it was not a simple emotional bribe - in fact, Zhang Juzheng did not care too much about it.

In any case, the emperor spoke the truth.

Since I ascended the throne, I have encountered more difficulties and obstacles than the previous emperor did in the past six years.

Any emperor with a weak mind would have become disheartened by this time and would have just sat by the Taiye Lake and fished for thirty years.

Now that he is in a good mood, he is willing to bribe the cabinet ministers, hoping that they can help him reform the vassal states. Isn't this a good thing?

Worry? I'm too happy to care!
Besides, being able to say such words and make such a gesture, there must be some sincerity in it, otherwise why don’t we see Liu Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei acting here?
Therefore, he ignored Gao Yi's words and talked about business instead: "Zhu Yingyan is just a lieutenant of the auxiliary state. He can't even be ranked among the Huguang vassal states. I'm afraid he is just a figurehead."

Seeing that Zhang Juzheng did not respond, Gao Yi did not want to make up for it, so he nodded in agreement: "Let's go to the Ministry of War. If we don't put pressure on Wang Chonggu, I'm afraid he won't give it to others."

If the Beijing Army refuses to give anyone, what will happen if the imperial envoy dies when he goes down?
Besides, it was the emperor who asked him for Zhang Chucheng. If this matter is not done, not only will Gao Yi be dissatisfied with the emperor, but he will also be worried about the emperor!
Without the Beijing Camp in charge, how can they kill so many people and hold memorial ceremonies for their disciples? ?

Think of this.

It seemed like an illusion, and the Taiye Lake beside him was dyed red with blood.

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Gao Yi who was in a daze, shook his head, and took the first step forward.

Gao Yi came to his senses and hurried to catch up.

Just now.

"Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister, please stay!"

A voice came from behind the two of them.

They both turned around and saw Zheng Zongxue, the secretary of Wanshou Palace, rushing towards them.

Meeting the gazes of the two cabinet ministers, Zheng Zongxue said respectfully, "Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister."

"His Majesty said that he had come across a poem when offering sacrifices to the heavens in the southern suburbs. It seemed to be written by a certain great ancestor of past dynasties. Today, I would like to give it to the two elders to encourage each other."

After saying that, he handed over a short note with both hands.

Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi were both stunned.

A certain great ancestor wrote a poem on the altar in the southern suburbs!? Why didn’t I notice it before?
The two men looked at the twenty-something Zhongshu Sheren suspiciously, wondering if he was too young and had changed the emperor's words himself.

Zhang Juzheng reached out and took the note.

Gao Yi came closer and cast a curious look.

All I saw on the short note was the emperor's handwriting. Although the strokes were not strong enough, they were elegant and neat, and every stroke revealed his seriousness and solemnity.

The previous poem had a unique style and rhythm, but it directly made the two of them entranced and unable to move.

The word says:

The west wind is strong, the sky is full of geese calling, and the frosty morning moon is shining.

Frosty morning moon, the sound of horse hooves and the muffled sound of trumpets.

The long pass of Xiongguan is really like iron,
Now step forward from scratch.

start over,
The mountains are like the sea,

The setting sun is like blood.

The two of them looked up at the sky at the same time. At that moment, the setting sun was melting gold and burning the clouds like fire.

Half of the sky seemed to be burned through, dark red like blood.

(End of this chapter)