The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 199 Contradictory Transfer Method

The emperor appeared at the Meridian Gate, before the throne.

Before the ministers saluted, they suddenly discovered that besides the eunuchs of the Supervisor of Ceremonies, there was Zhang Zhou beside the emperor.

What surprised them even more was that Zhang Zhou walked past them majestically and walked out of the Meridian Gate.

"Gentlemen, today is the day when the exam will be released, and there are some things that need to be decided." Zhu Youtang said, "Dongchang, bring people in."

After Xiao Jing got the order, he quickly walked out of Wumen Gate, and sent an order to Jin Yiwei.

The ministers present were also very curious as to what the emperor was going to do. After waiting for a while, they saw a group of scholars in blue shirts coming under the escort of Jin Yiwei. They were even more puzzled.

And Zhang Zhou, who had gone out earlier, turned around and stood with the group of people.

The number of these scholars, combined, is as many as four or fifty.

Liu Jian looked back at those scholars in the distance, and hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, what are you going to do?"

Zhu Youtang pointed to the scholars in the distance and said: "Many of them are people who met Cheng Minzheng when they went to Beijing to prepare for the exam, and some of them were just talking about problems outside. After the investigation, these people were selected, and they were all more or less involved in the case. Today, if I want to do something about the court, I should call them all and make it clear.”

"This……"

Liu Jian's face was not very good.

It's not a big deal for the emperor to try the case himself, but it's not a trivial matter to call so many ordinary scholars all at once.

This seems to be contrary to the original intention of calming people down.

"Bring over the other people involved in the case." Zhu Youtang ordered again.

"Yes."

This time Xiao Jing was much more relaxed and indifferent.

As Dongchang escorted a few more people, the officials present could only recognize the leader, Cheng Minzheng, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. Behind Cheng Minzheng, there were two scruffy-looking scholars, who were actually Tang Yin and Xu Jing. And there are three people in the back, they don't look like they are studying, they are more like servants doing chores.

"Read."

Zhu Youtang said it to Dai Yi this time.

Dai Yi came out with a copy of the memorial, but he did not read it immediately, but explained: "My officials, this copy is Xu Jing's confession. During Cheng Minzheng's time, he used gold coins to bribe the intellectuals of Cheng's mansion, and there was a statement from the Cheng mansion's intellectuals as evidence. The three intellectuals also identified themselves, and it was certain that they were Xu Jing... At the same time, in the hands of the intellectuals of Cheng's mansion, they found bribes A booklet of bribes detailing the bribes paid to them by scholars who have visited the Maesters in the past few years."

"Your Majesty, those before September last year are not counted. Only those who came to Beijing to participate in the examination in October and later, and those who went to visit, were called together, so as to make on-site identification, and see who There are those who go to pay homage, and there are bribes, and those who do bad luck to make progress!"

Wait for Dai Yi to finish speaking.

Then he read Xu Jing's confession and Cheng Minzheng's memorial to the public.

The ministers present were in an uproar.

Even Liu Jian, Xu Qiong and Bai Ang, who had heard the news in advance, thought that the emperor was going to sacrifice Cheng Minzheng and Xu Jing as a result, so as to quell the outside discussion and make peace.

Now they know... the emperor is going to play big.

Didn't it mean that Zhang Zhou, Xu Jing and Tang Yin were involved in the problem, and in the end there was only evidence that Xu Jing and Tang Yin visited Cheng Minzheng?

Then don't let these few people be involved in the case, but anyone who went to see Cheng Minzheng, especially those who had sent property to Cheng Minzheng's family, took them all!
What is this called?
Expand influence and transfer contradictions.

Before, almost everyone was targeting Zhang Zhou, Tang Yin, and Xu Jing, but with this group of people, things became more complicated, and the roles played by those three people were no longer important, and public opinion would turn against the soldiers. Criticism of Zi Kuang's wind of striving for progress.

Min Gui came out in a hurry and said, "Your Majesty, will the expansion of such involvement damage the court's prestige?"

Zhu Youtang said in a cold voice: "A good test, without any evidence, can lead to a big case, which makes the government and the people uneasy. Now I just want to ask for an answer, isn't this the case of your family?" want?"

The emperor almost said, you, Min Gui, feel that it is not good to expand your influence now?
When you attacked Cheng Minzheng and related issues, none of you seemed to think about the stability of the court. Now you feel that things are out of your control, so you want to persuade me to stop?
"Identify it!" Zhu Youtang sternly said.

……

……

More than 50 examinees present were all candidates for this examination. There were many people who visited Cheng Minzheng, and those who were not candidates would not be arrested. Of course, there were also some candidates who were vicious in discussing the test questions outside. Pull to be a witness.

On-the-spot identification of such things always requires some unrelated people to come over as a foil.

"It's him, Yuan Ye from Shuntian Mansion. When he went to the mansion, he took six taels of silver and mentioned tea leaves from Jiangnan..."

It is said that there are three intellectuals of the Cheng mansion, including the housekeeper, the doorman, and the nursing home. They went directly to point out that they had been to the Cheng mansion and gave gifts, and they were directly pulled out by Jin Yiwei.

"Injustice!"

"What is wronged? If I hadn't seen it, how could I be recognized? Even the etiquette is right!"

Jin Yiwei's people are not used to mistakes, so they identify one by one and pull out one by one.

Not long after, more than 20 people have been pulled out, and these people have more or less given gifts.

The identification over there was still going on, but Cheng Minzheng, who was kneeling in front of the Meridian Gate, had a remorseful look on his face, and lowered his head with a face of self-blame and annoyance, as if he hated himself for being a human being.

It is said that it was a gift for the servants, but in fact, most of them went into his own pocket?
Cheng Minzheng was also thinking, everyone else is doing this, why can't I do it?
"Uh-huh."

Zhu Youtang cleared his throat.

Those ministers who were looking back to identify the excitement all turned their heads.

"Gentlemen, is it unfair for me to ask this question?" Zhu Youtang asked.

The ministers present did not know what to say.

Now it's Xu Jing who gives gifts alone?There are so many gift givers, and Xu Jing is not the only one. Strictly speaking...it is the fairest way to check.

Zhu Youtang said: "I also know that when the examination is approaching and candidates from all over the place gather in the capital, there will always be people who want to cling to the famous Confucianists in the court to gain fame. It gave some people an opportunity to take advantage of it. I believe that apart from Cheng Minzheng, there are not a few people who have been invited to meet scholars, right?"

The ministers were also silent.

All the civil servants present, who hasn't seen the candidates?When the candidates came to meet, many brought some gifts, some unknown or expensive ones were rejected, but many of them were old acquaintances from aristocratic families, who would refuse to give some gifts?
It's like Li Dongyang... There are hundreds of scholars who visit him every year. Does everyone go there empty-handed?

"I will set a rule here. In the future, before the Dabi and Chunwei, no officials are allowed to meet with scholars from all over the world. Even if they usually meet, they are not bound to practice the ceremony of apprenticeship. But when they meet, they are not allowed to talk about exam questions and other things. .”

Zhu Youtang set the rules on the spot.

"Follow the imperial edict." The ministers present seemed unable to hate Cheng Minzheng now.

Cheng Minzheng sacrificed himself to set a rule for the court.

Some people are still thinking, fortunately, His Majesty asked Cheng Minzheng to be the chief examiner this time, and the dirty water from the questions was only poured on his head, otherwise I would have been the chief examiner, and the result might have been the same.

……

……

After Zhu Youtang finished setting the rules, he fell silent, as if he was waiting for the identification to be over.

After waiting for half an hour, everyone was finally identified. There were more than 50 candidates standing there, but there were less than ten people left, and Zhang Zhou was still standing there.

"Your Majesty, I have made a thorough investigation." Xiao Jing came over and reported in front of the minister, "The candidates who have been taken down today are all candidates who went to see Cheng Minzheng. There are 42 candidates, and 36 of them have brought money worth two dollars. If you have more than two properties, go to meet them first, here is the detailed list and the gift of property."

With that said, Xiao Jing presented the list of gifts to the emperor.

Zhu Youtang asked, "Have all those scholars recognized you?"

"There are a few who don't recognize it." Xiao Jing said, "It's just a few."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang's face was somewhat annoyed.

Even the ministers felt that those candidates who refused to admit to death were looking for death. People in the Cheng family recognized them, and other people also honestly recognized them. In the end, these few still refused to admit it. Go to jail to loosen your bones?
Xiao Jingdao: "Among the people who don't recognize it, most of them are talking about related issues, and a few of them are still making a big splash outside, saying that Cheng Minzheng has secret correspondence with Zhang Zhou, Tang Yin, Xu Jing, etc..."

"Bastard!"

Zhu Youtang said angrily, "They themselves have done things to seek advancement, but deliberately slandered others. Such people are the most unforgivable! If they are on the list of candidates for the examination, they will all be removed and all other people will be expelled. You will never be allowed to participate in the general examination, and you will not be allowed to be an official! This kind of person is not needed by the imperial court!"

Xiao Jingzuo asked: "Return to Your Majesty, I have checked the list of tributes submitted to the Ministry of Rites, and these few people are not on the list."

All the ministers present understood this.

The more nonsense the article is written, the more I like to engage in the practice of clinging to the powerful to find the back door, and the more I talk about others aimlessly in an attempt to disturb the government and the opposition after things fail.

"The ethos of scholars is to be disturbed by this group of people, and people's hearts are scattered. Even the justice of the Ministry of Rites will be criticized. What's the intention?"

At this time, Zhu Youtang seems to have no fear of expanding the influence of the case.

Because there are already ready-made "back-up heroes", these knights went to give gifts to Cheng Minzheng by themselves, but they didn't get the question, but turned around and attacked others...

Whenever the matter is made public, the outlet for public opinion is no longer the fairness of the test, but these villains.

Their actions also broke the way for others to cling to.

In the future, if you want to visit famous Confucian scholars to accumulate reputation before passing the general examination, this road will not work.

Zhu Youtang said: "My dear family, do you think it's inappropriate for me to deal with it like this?"

No one here wants to come out and be the bad guy.

Li Dongyang, who hadn't spoken in the hall for a long time, came out and said: "Returning to Your Majesty, I also think that these people should be abolished and demoted to the people, so as to set the record straight."

"it is good."

The emperor was not in a hurry either.

Anyway, now that the conflict has been transferred, maybe some of these people were really wronged?

Before, I hoped that the public opinion would calm down sooner.

Now I hope that the public opinion will be more swaying.

Zhu Youtang nodded: "Mr. Li Ge has always been a role model for literati. I think your suggestion is very appropriate. First, take these people into custody in Beizhen Fusi, and punish them after the interrogation is over! As for the rest, I sent them to Cheng Minzheng. Those who have paid homage..."

At first Xu Jing thought that his official career was over, but now he seems to have some hope.

The law does not blame the public.

It's not like I'm the only one doing this.

So many people have been charged together, why don't His Majesty and all the elders and ministers show mercy?
Li Dongyang proposed again: "I believe that if someone has ever tried to seek advancement by fate, if he passes the exam this time, he should be dismissed, and he can be punished with a stick, and sent to the local government to serve as an official."

Xu Jing's heart sank, it was over.

Those who have given gifts will be dismissed as Jinshi, and those who have not won Jinshi will have to pay money to ransom their sentences and be sent to the local government as petty officials. Does that mean that there will be no chance to take the national examination in the future?
It's only a little better than the villain who made a name for himself.

Zhu Youtang said: "Then there was no gift, but someone who paid homage to him?"

"Do not ask."

When Li Dongyang said this, he actually considered his own situation.

So many people came to visit me, and there were quite a few gift-givers. It was good for the emperor not to pursue it deeply. If he simply went to see Cheng Minzheng, and there was no evidence to incriminate him, he would have to question him. After that, I am afraid that the ministers and scholars in the court Everyone must be in danger, and the social interaction between literati must be cut off.

"It makes sense." Zhu Youtang said this at this time, in fact, he was slapping the faces of the civil servants present.

Anti-customer.

Zhu Youtang said again: "Cheng Minzheng is a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, and he can't avoid suspicion when he is in the financial situation. He has been polled by Wenheng and asked him to be an official. He will stay in the capital and stop interfering with the affairs of the court!"

"Old minister thanks your majesty for your grace."

Cheng Minzheng knelt down and thanked him.

He has achieved the result of becoming an official without being punished, which can not only calm the discussion, but also make himself feel better. Cheng Minzheng dare not complain.

Zhu Youtang looked at Xiao Jing again and asked: "By the way, Zhang Zhou should not be involved in this case, right?"

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Gongsheng Zhang Zhou has never been to Cheng Cheng's residence since the beginning, and the two of them have never exchanged letters, so naturally they will not be involved."

"Yes. Your family should also hear it. You shouldn't talk about it anymore. You will be ministers in the same hall in the future." Zhu Youtang nodded, also wanting to remind the civil servants present.

Zhang Zhou is my confidant and favorite general, it would be a bit ignorant for you to talk about it any longer.

I just want to tell you that Zhang Zhou is now a Jinshi, you will see each other when you look up and down, and if you treat him better, you are also kind to yourself.

"Where's Tang Yin?" Zhu Youtang pointed to Tang who was kneeling.

Xiao Jingdao: "Tang Yin only went to visit with Xu Jing, he didn't know about the gift giving, and there is no evidence for the so-called questioning."

Zhu Youtang said: "Then don't ask about his affairs. As for the other person... Hu Ke gave Zhonghua Chang a job, and he used rumors to play things. If there are many unfounded facts, he should be severely punished."

The people involved in the case basically have their own belongings.

And there is only one person left, that is, Hua Chang.

In terms of crime, in fact Hua Chang is not guilty, but he is the instigator and the culprit who expanded the situation.

The emperor hated Hua Chang even more for insisting on involving Zhang Zhou. This is what the emperor felt that Hua Chang was unforgivable.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't be held accountable for telling officials what happened," Min Gui said.

Zhu Youtang shook his head: "If all the performances have not been carefully investigated, and the events are based on hearsay, once this wind blows, what prestige is there in the court? Order Hua Chang to transfer the master book of Nanjing Taipu Temple, and punish him. Half a year...the rest of the people involved in the case will be punished according to the severity of the circumstances by the three courts."

"This is the end of the matter. The announcement of the exam and the negotiation of this case can be announced to the outside world at the same time."

"Anyone who speaks arrogantly will be treated like a sinner!"

(End of this chapter)