Before hanging himself, Chongzhen lifted the table

Chapter 9 The Proud Number One Scholar

Emperor Chongzhen gave everyone a decree that could be carried out quickly until tomorrow morning, and then watched them leave the palace.

These people may or may not have the ability, but they have one thing in common, that is, they chose to die for the country when the Ming Dynasty collapsed.

Perhaps when they chose to die, there were various reasons, not necessarily loyalty to the emperor Chongzhen.But, it doesn't matter, at least they are better than those who eat the emperor's salary and turn around and sell the emperor!
Thinking of this and watching them all disappear at the entrance of the palace, Emperor Chongzhen looked at Wang Chengen and told him: "The Duke of Xin Yue Liu Wenbing, the Prince Consort Gong Yonggu, the Bowei Shichun of Xuancheng, the Bo of Hui'an Zhang Qingzhen, Zhangwu Bo Yang Chongyou, Ningyuan Bo Li Zunzu, Pengcheng Bo Zhang Guangzu, Dingyuan Marquis Deng Wenming, Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Zhaoji, Xining Marquis Song Yude, Qingping Marquis Wu Zunzhou, Yangwu Marquis Xue Lian, Gongshun Marquis Wu Ruzheng, and Xincheng Marquis Wang Guoxing will come to see you immediately."

When Wang Chengen heard this, he roughly guessed that this was when Emperor Taizu entrusted him with a dream, naming nobles who were loyal to the emperor and loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

He was a little surprised that there was no duke!You know, hereditary dukes were the most generous to people with foreign surnames in the Ming Dynasty, but the result was not?

Moreover, many of these marquis and earls were granted titles because of their status as relatives of the emperor.Will the ancestors who have made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty lose their backbone when the Ming Dynasty needs them?
He did not dare to ask this question, but immediately agreed, and then assigned his servants to go immediately to deliver the order.

At the same time, Wenyuan Pavilion had also received news from the emperor.

"What is the purpose of Your Majesty in summoning various military generals? If you have something to explain, you should inform our cabinet!" Wei Zaode, the youngest right minister of the Ministry of Rites and bachelor of Dongge, the number one scholar appointed by the emperor in the 13th year of Chongzhen, walked out Taking his position, he came to Chief Assistant Chen Yan and said with some dissatisfaction, "How about Mr. Chief Assistant going to see His Majesty and ask about the situation?"

Chen Yan was already old. Ever since he took over Zhou Yanru as the chief assistant, he had been preparing for him to retire and return home. At this time, when he saw Wei Zaode coming to talk, he just said lightly: "Your Majesty has the most favor with you, your Majesty. If you want to know, just go to His Majesty directly, why do you need me to come forward?"

Shi Ling is the name of Wei Zaode. In the 13th year of Chongzhen, he was selected as the number one scholar. In the 16th year of Chongzhen, he became a bachelor of Dongge University. This kind of promotion speed is simply unheard of. The 38-year-old cabinet minister is also appalling!

As for Chen Yan himself, he was a Jinshi in the second year of Tianqi. After so many years of ups and downs, he finally reached the position of chief assistant. To be honest, he couldn't stand Wei Zaode in his heart.

However, he is cunning, wise and self-protective, and at least on the surface he is kind and gentle, harmless to humans and animals.

When Wei Zaode heard what he said, he couldn't help but cursed secretly in his heart: "I insist on holding the position of chief and assistant, and I am the most active in collecting money. I act like a coward in doing things, bah!"

When he was about to say a few words about Chen Yan, Fan Jingwen, another cabinet minister who had just joined the cabinet, interrupted and said: "The army of Li thieves has invaded Shanxi with a fierce force. Shanxi's military strength alone may be difficult to resist. Therefore, your majesty is probably considering Reinforcements!"

He is the only civil servant among the cabinet ministers who has experience in training and leading troops. It can be said that he is both civil and military.He was dismissed by Emperor Chongzhen for offending Yang Sichang to save Huang Daozhou. He was just recalled and promoted to the cabinet.

Fan Jingwen's words on military matters have a certain degree of authority.

However, Wei Zaode was not convinced. He immediately walked over after hearing the sound and retorted with great aura: "Didn't we just send two thousand reinforcements before... Oh, by the way, Mr. Fan Ge just joined the cabinet and didn't know about it. !”

When Chen Yan saw him walking away, he squinted his old eyes slightly, as if he was thinking about the problem, and seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.

When Fan Jingwen heard Wei Zaode's words, he shook his head without hesitation and said: "A mere two thousand reinforcements are just a drop in the bucket and will not help!"

"Mr. Fan Ge, has he never heard that soldiers are more valuable than elites?" When Wei Zaode heard this, he immediately talked eloquently, "Although Thief Li has a large army, most of it is a mob. Once the elite of the court comes out, he will definitely be able to defeat more with less. Stop Li's bandit army from Jin, and even defeat the bandit army!"

Fan Jingwen frowned, but patiently explained to Wei Zaode: "The bandits have been fighting for more than ten years, but why are they still a mob? Isn't it proof that the officers and soldiers have been defeated repeatedly in battles?"

When Wei Zaode heard this, he raised his eyebrows and waved his right hand and said: "Haha, the general is incompetent, he just exhausted the three armies!" At this point, he turned to another cabinet minister who was immersed in writing and said: "The fourth eldest brother is responsible for military training. , you know what I said makes sense, right?"

Si Chang, named after Fang Yuegong, was the Shangshu of the Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of Bing and a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion. He was the governor of water transportation, farming, and military training affairs.At this time, when he heard Wei Zaode's words, he didn't even raise his head, and just said "hmm", which seemed very perfunctory.

Wei Zaode was a little dissatisfied, so he turned around and walked to the cabinet ministers on the other side, and asked again: "Brother Zhongbao is good at managing finances and military affairs. He always understands the principle that soldiers are more valuable than more elite, right?"

Zhongbao, the nickname of Jiang Dejing, was appointed to the cabinet last year as Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs and a bachelor of Wenyuange, Prince of Jin Shaobao. He has always opposed the increase in pay and is investigating the actual situation of the frontier troops.When he heard Wei Zaode's question, he raised his head to look at him, nodded and said, "It is right to have good soldiers but not too many generals!"

When Wei Zaode heard this, he felt happy and was about to continue talking when he suddenly saw the eunuch, the eunuch in charge of etiquette, stepping into the cabinet. He turned to look at Wang Zhixin, cupped his hands slightly and said, "Why are you visiting the cabinet?
Although Wei Zaode was arrogant, he saw with his own eyes what happened when Zhou Yanru offended the factory guard. Therefore, he could look down on any of his colleagues in the cabinet, but he did not dare to disrespect Wang Zhixin and took the lead in paying tribute.

Chen Yan, the chief assistant who had been wandering just now, heard the sound, his eyes widened, and then he immediately got up and walked around the seat, quickly walked towards Wang Zhixin, and said with a smile on his face: "Ah, the prince is here, let the cabinet be in full bloom." Piper is so radiant!"

When people who don't know see it, they think he is Wang Zhixin's younger brother. Then they will know that he is the No. 1 civil servant of the Ming Dynasty!
Wang Zhixin looked at them with a smile on his face, but said lightly: "The emperor's decree!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers in the cabinet looked at each other, probably thinking, "Look, there is no need to ask, the emperor has a decree."

So, they quickly accepted the order.

After receiving the decree, Chen Yan was a little confused and asked: "My lord, these days are not the time for a major court meeting. If your Majesty wants to hold a big court meeting temporarily, why not tomorrow but the day after tomorrow?"

Wang Zhixin actually didn't know why the emperor was scheduled to be the day after tomorrow. At that time, he felt that the emperor seemed dissatisfied with him, so he didn't dare to ask.But at this time, in front of these civil servants, he just said lightly: "It is scheduled for the day after tomorrow instead of tomorrow. Wouldn't it give you more time to prepare, so as not to let the civil and military officials of the court fail to live up to the grace of the Lord during the great court meeting. Chief Assistant Sir, do you think so?"

As for what kind of divine grace he failed to live up to, he wouldn't say, I believe the people in the cabinet could guess it.

When he said this, he stared at Chen Yan specifically.Then he left without staying any longer.

Chen Yan obviously caught his look, and suddenly felt very unhappy.

Wei Zaode, on the other hand, seemed to be a little gloating and said: "It seems that His Majesty is training and recruiting troops again, and the salary has not been received yet! Haha, anyway, I have nothing to do, and I don't have the money to donate even if I want to!"

When Chen Yan heard this, his expression became even more gloomy.

Nowadays, most of the courtiers have taken refuge in him. Wei Zaode relies on the Holy Favor, and he is from Tongzhou, which is equivalent to the local leader of the capital.Although she was angry with him, Wei Zaode had no choice but to pretend not to hear.

Fan Jingwen next to them glanced at the two of them and said nothing.

Although he had just been reinstated, he had also heard that Chen Yan, the chief assistant, was mediocre in talent, mean, good at colluding with ministers, and widely bribed. The emperor was probably going to donate money this time. I wonder how much the chief assistant would donate?
After seeing Chen Yan sitting back in his seat, he ordered: "Pass on His Majesty's decree, especially to the abbot. Don't miss the opportunity to inform him. Your Majesty has told you that he will also be present."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zaode knew what he was planning, but he did not expose it.Let the abbot take the lead, and everyone will spend less, so why not do it!

(End of this chapter)