weaving

Chapter 1098 What do you think?

Such boldness is truly astonishing.

The news in the third town of Xuanda finally reached the capital of the Ming Dynasty, causing an uproar in the public opinion in the capital. No matter the teahouses and restaurants in the streets or the government offices where hundreds of officials gathered, everyone was talking endlessly.

The general public was angrily cursing the profiteers for bringing harm to the country. They were all filled with righteous indignation and shouted for a quick kill. They even secretly regretted that they could not be present at the scene to spit on the head of the profiteers who drank human blood and brought harm to the country.

The officials of various ministries and departments completely turned to the other side. The mainstream voices were angrily scolding Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng, saying that he ignored the court etiquette and abused the lynchings, and slandered free traders and slaves, just to plunder the people's wealth...

They even spread the word that the brave army under the command of Yongningbo Zhang Cheng had carried out plunder in Shanxi and Datong in the name of catching profiteers. Things.

Even in the majestic court, there are many such voices. Many imperial censors even held books and cursed, and wanted to impeach Zhang Cheng even at the risk of being punished by the imperial staff.

Among them, the one who made the most fuss was Yu Shangyou, the censor!

Yes, that's right, it's him.

However, unlike others, Yu Shangyou did not focus on Yong Ningbo's arrest of profiteers. He found another way to impeach Zhang Cheng. Thinking of the national crisis and the slow march of the army to aid Henan, he also suggested that the imperial court send officials to Xuanda to thoroughly investigate the profiteers and slaves. For one thing, he casually urged Bo Yongning to speed up military aid to Henan to suppress the bandits.

Facing the fierce tide of bullets, there are too few people like Yu Shangyou, and because of this, he was ridiculed by the censors, who pointed at him behind his back.

Chen Xinjia, Secretary of the Ministry of War, has also been sending letters to Zhang Cheng in recent times, asking what happened to Zhang Cheng, but there is no news at all.

Every time he went to court, he tried his best to avoid those fearless officials and censors, so as not to be surrounded and cursed by them again. Whenever this happened, Chen Xinjia was extremely embarrassed.

He was unable to break through their siege, and no one came to help. This shows how isolated he was in the court. Almost every time, they would wait until they felt they had scolded enough before opening a passage and letting Chen Xinjia leave. .

Of course, there are exceptions, that is, when there is an internal eunuch leading the way, the officials and censors do not dare to stop him. After all, the internal eunuch represents the emperor, so they can only hide aside and curse a few words.

Different from the hustle and bustle outside, the palace has always been as calm as ever, as if completely isolated from the outside world and unheard.

However, the mountain of memorials on Emperor Chongzhen's desk has not changed at all. Even the ground next to the case is piled high, almost level with the desk. Those are memorials to impeach Zhang Cheng.

Bullets and seals will always be left in the target but not fired!
This was Emperor Chongzhen's greatest support for Zhang Cheng.

In fact, not only the officials and censors in Beijing, but also most of the officials in the Sixth Section and various ministries have written to Emperor Chongzhen. Even officials from Jiangnan provinces and South Zhili have also begun to submit bullets.

From this point of view, the Donglin Party plans to take the big shot this time. It will first kill Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng, and then follow the clues to bring down Chen Xinjia, and keep the Minister of War in the hands of his own people, so that things will go more smoothly in the future. .

As for the life and death of the Shanyou profiteers arrested by Zhang Cheng, how much does it have to do with them?
Pulling out the thorn in their side and bringing down their political opponents is their ultimate goal.

Among the people, especially those in Jiangnan where businessmen are powerful, signs of joint petitions began to appear. The reason why they participated in the action to denounce Zhang Cheng was mainly to prevent the same thing from happening in Jiangnan.

After all, the interests involved in Yongningbo Zhang Cheng's operation to arrest profiteers were too huge. Thinking of the miserable situation of Shanyou merchants, many people couldn't help but feel sad that the rabbit died and the fox died.

Moreover, many of them have colluded with profiteers. At least many large merchants in Jiangnan have provided various sources of goods to profiteers...

Nowadays, the eradication of slave-traffickers and profiteers is making a lot of noise, and folk rumors are adding fuel to the fire. With the Donglin Party adding fuel to the flames, will they be further implicated in the future?
Everyone's heart is filled with extreme fear.

However, there is also a strange atmosphere in this. In recent times, the behavior of the internal supervisors has become very ambiguous. This has also caused several senior ministers in the cabinet to be cautious and only arrange for their own students to come forward. But he hid behind and watched the scenery.

Public opinion and official circles have formed two completely different arguments, which seems to indicate that the separation between social classes is on the verge of collapse.

Whenever Yong Ning Bo was mentioned about how he massacred officials and generals who were protecting profiteers, they would even protest against the crime, and their hatred of the same enemy was particularly strong.

The Jian Nu invaded the capital of the Ming Dynasty several times, and even went deep into Jinan Prefecture in Shandong Province to plunder. It is conceivable that people's hatred for the Jian Nu has been deeply rooted in their bones. They could not and could not defeat the Jian Nu, but they heard that Yong Ningbo killed the slave traders. , but everyone felt very happy.

But in the officialdom, they just want to confuse right and wrong and use this to impeach and criticize Uncle Yong Ning, which is too easy.

Not to mention whether the profiteers are complicit in slavery and causing harm to the country still needs to be determined by the court, but how can you, Uncle Yongning, with the troops of the Xuanfu, have the qualifications and power to cross the border and go to Datong and Shanxi towns to arrest profiteers and seize their property?
Also, the Yongyi Army was good at attacking castles and killing court officials in Datong and Shanxi. What kind of crime was this?

As a guard general, you have stretched your hands too far!

Is there any ulterior motive behind this serious breach of authority?

There are so many...

The memorial to impeach Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng was delivered to the capital from all directions like raindrops in early spring, and was finally delivered in the court, cabinet, and even to the imperial court.

Everyone, whether civilian or official, is waiting for Emperor Chongzhen's reaction.

…………

At this time, the tense atmosphere in Xuanfu Town was even worse than in the capital.

Especially in the mansion on the left side of the Xuanfu Governor's Yamen, the atmosphere was extremely tense. From the Yimen to the back hall, there were almost three steps to one post, and everyone was equipped with armor and weapons, and the atmosphere of killing was extremely strong.

These armored soldiers standing on duty are dressed in different colors. Although they are generally red, they can be distinguished from the details and they are from different military camps.

At least it can be seen that among these guards, there are those from the Supervisory Biao Camp, Xuanfu, Shanxi, and Datong Fubiao Camps, as well as the iron-blooded guard soldiers of the Yongyi Army...

Jiang Yuxu, the governor of Xuanda, looked gloomy and said nothing. Three Futai officials, including Zhu Zhifeng, Wei Jingyuan and Cai Maode, also looked angry.

On the desks in front of each of them, there were piles of files, which were densely packed with small regular script and recorded a mountain of irrefutable evidence of Shanyou's profiteers smuggling slaves.

There are several large wooden boxes in the middle of the lobby. Looking through the lids that have been opened, there are files inside, which are obviously documentary evidence of their enslavement.

One of the large wooden boxes is the most eye-catching. It is full of gold, silver, jewelry and jade, and there is a dazzling array of them. There are not many exquisite items from major experts, but if you look closely, you can see that most of them are stained with dark red spots.

If you pick it up and smell it at the end of your nose, you can indeed vaguely smell the smell of blood, rushing into your nostrils.

"Even if Fan Yongdou and others really engage in slavery and betray the country, Uncle Yongning should not be in our Shanxi territory, attacking cities, beheading generals, arresting people and ransacking their homes."

Although Cai Maode, the governor of Shanxi Province, was still furious, his tone of voice was much gentler than before: "Uncle Yong Ning stretched his hand too far. Isn't it against the law of the court?" "That's it..."

Wei Jingyuan, the governor of Datong, quickly echoed: "It's the same in Datong. The city gate guards and government officials all suffered casualties. They even dared to inspect the shops under the name of 'Dai Fan', and all the court officials in the palace were beaten off." front teeth……"

"What does it mean to knock out two front teeth?"

Hearing him talk about this matter, Cai Maode became even more angry and angrily interjected: "Two ministers of the Jin Palace and a long history all died under the sword of his Xuanfu officer..."

The more Cai Maode spoke, the more angry he became. He raised his hand and picked up the teacup and threw it heavily on the table: "The King of Jin is unwilling to give up. He forces me every day, but he tells me how to deal with it!"

"Just leave it to Uncle Ben."

Zhang Cheng did not shirk the blame, he continued very domineeringly: "I, the brave officers and soldiers, with my head tied to my belt, suppressed the bandits at home and defended the bandits from outside, never once said a word of hardship, nor did I say a word of tiredness.

But these traitors, collaborating with internal enemies and smuggling capital slaves, caused the soldiers of our three armies to fight hard for several months and were completely destroyed. This is unbearable. Although in the chaos, they ransacked King Dai's shop and killed King Jin's courtiers. ,so what? "

When Zhang Cheng said this, his eyes widened and he said angrily: "Is it possible that he still wants tens of thousands of soldiers from my brave army to pay for his dynasty and long history?"

"Crack!" There was a crisp sound.

Everyone followed the sound, but it was Jiang Yuxu, the governor of Xuanda, who placed the teacup in his hand on the desk again, making a clear sound.

"It is an unpardonable crime for a traitorous businessman to engage in slavery and bring harm to the country. Death is not a pity."

When Jiang Yuxu said this, he paused for a moment, and his gaze stayed on Uncle Yongning Zhang Cheng. He looked at it for a long time. Finally, he sighed secretly, and then continued with a slightly reproachful tone: "Unless Uncle Yongning has not been convicted by the Ministry of Punishment, he has done so without permission." It is indeed inappropriate to take the lead in arresting and killing profiteers and confiscating their property."

He interrupted the debate between Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng and Datong Governor Wei Jingyuan and Shanxi Governor Cai Maode, and made the final decision, confirming that Shanyou merchants Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku and others were guilty of treason and harming the country.

For Jiang Yuxu, what he did was really helpless!
The trend of bandits in Henan Province became more and more intense. The former governor of Shaanxi, Fu Zonglong, died in Xiangcheng. The new governor of Shaanxi, Wang Qiaonian, stopped advancing in Xiangcheng. The former governor of Shaanxi, Yang Wenyue, was missing. The new governor of Shaanxi, Zhang Fuzhen, had just taken office and was unable to suppress them.

The only one who could originally count on them was Inspector Ding Qirui, but he and General Zuo Liangyu made excuses to stay in southern Henan. No matter how hard the court pressed, they refused to set foot in Kaifeng Prefecture in northern Henan.

At present, it seems that the only person who can solve the decline of the army in Henan Province is the bold and daring Uncle Yong Ning in front of him!

For the sake of the imperial court's grand strategy, Jiang Yuxu could only focus on maintaining stability. Even if he did not consider the imperial palace's grand strategy, he would not dare to overly force Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng.

After all, once the tens of thousands of powerful soldiers of the Yongyi Army rebelled, no one would be able to control them, and the consequences would be unimaginable to him!

What's more, the arrest of the traitorous traitor has become a fact, and the traitor is indeed the traitor who brought harm to the country first. Now that there is irrefutable evidence, what can he do?

You see, the eunuch Bian Yongqing, who was the representative of Emperor Chongzhen, did not come forward for this matter. It can be seen that the Lord of the Ming Dynasty in the palace may have the intention to support Zhang Cheng in plagiarizing merchants. .

Although Jiang Yuxu is not sure yet, at least for now, Emperor Chongzhen does not object to Zhang Cheng copying the homes of profiteers.

Although "the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish", Jiang Yuxu does not want to take this risk. It is not worth it for him. Therefore, his most important thing at the moment is to maintain the stability of Xuanda San Town and make Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng can successfully send troops to Henan Province to assist and suppress the rogue bandits.

"However, there is irrefutable evidence that a treacherous businessman committed slavery and brought harm to the country. It is expected that the court will not let him go and other crimes."

Jiang Yuxu glanced at the three ministers and continued: "Uncle Yongning is acting now. Although he is suspected of taking power, he has to obey the power urgently. Although he has made a mistake, it is not unforgivable. I think the court will also think about this."

"Supervisor..."

Seeing that Jiang Yuxu was out of character and actually defended Zhang Cheng in his words, Datong Governor Wei Jingyuan hurriedly asked: "Uncle Yongning used swords and weapons to attack friendly forces and rob merchants and people in Datong and Shanxi. Even if there is a reason, he still can't escape his crime." .”

"How do you feel?"

Jiang Yuxu asked in a deep voice: "Are we going to remove Yongning Bo from his title, take back the seal of General Zhenshuo, remove his military power, and send him to the prison of the governor's office of Xuan Mansion?"

"This... this... this..."

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Wei Jingyuan's forehead. He was trembling all over and was so incoherent that he couldn't say a word.

Indeed, what he just said seemed very reckless!

Just as Jiang Yuxu, the governor of Xuanda, said, what can they do to Zhang Cheng?
Whether it was to remove his title, take back the seal of General Zhenshuo, or remove his military power, or even worse, throw him into prison.

Which one of them can make the decision?

"Okay."

Bian Yongqing, the eunuch who oversees the army, said at the right time: "According to our family's opinion, we should first report the crime of profiteers to the court and see how the emperor and the Ministry of Punishment discuss the matter."

Zhu Zhifeng, the governor of the Xuanfu, had not spoken. At this moment, he squinted at Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng and saw that he was sitting upright as before, with a calm expression on his face. Apparently, he did not have much objection to what Wei Jingyuan just said. .

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "The rumors are indeed true. This Zhang Cheng has an extraordinary bearing, and the city is also extremely deep."

"What Eunuch Bian said is absolutely true."

Zhu Zhifeng spoke up to help resolve the awkward atmosphere in the hall: "There is irrefutable evidence that the traitorous merchants committed slavery and brought harm to the country. Even if they die a hundred times, it will be difficult to forgive their crimes. Yongning Bo's soldiers once fought bloody battles with the slave thieves in Liaodong, and now they know that the traitorous merchants smuggled materials." It is inevitable for slaves to feel resentment in their hearts.

As for arresting and searching things without obtaining official documents from the court, although there is something wrong with it, but as Yong Ningbo said, if the matter is urgent, we can't just let the profiteers and slaves turn a blind eye. . "

Seeing that the governor Jiang Yuxu and the supervisor Bian Yongqing did not say anything to stop him, he continued: "I think, if not just follow what Uncle Yong Ning said, we will immediately send people to various places to seize the property of Yongyi Army and collect all the property." Log in.

Then report the matters here to the court in detail, and wait for the emperor and the court to deal with everything. We will just follow the emperor's orders.

What do you think, Governor Jiang, and what do you think, princes? "

(End of this chapter)