The Prosperous Era of Longwan

The next day, Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City.

Emperor Longqing was summoning Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin. Not long after they were in the cabinet, they were brought here by the eunuchs of the palace.

For this summons, Emperor Longqing ordered the Chief of Ceremonies to move all the memorials to impeach the King of Liao that had accumulated in the past few days here.

"What is going on in the court now? The ministers are very idle, focusing on the affairs of the King of Liao, and don't care about their own official duties?"

Emperor Longqing said to the two cabinet ministers.

Chen Yiqin lowered his head. Although the cabinet did not delay official business, the emperor's words made sense.

The ministers are all thinking about how to write the impeachment memorial, so they naturally have less time to think and deal with government affairs.

Chen Yiqin remained silent, and Li Chunfang, as the first assistant, naturally had to answer.

"Your Majesty, I don't dare to delay my official duties for a moment. It's just that the King of Liao has done too many illegal things, which makes people angry, so my colleagues wrote a memorial overnight, hoping that Your Majesty can severely punish the King of Liao."

Li Chunfang said that the ministers wrote memorials at night, at home, when they were resting, so they did not delay the government affairs.

"Okay, let's not talk about this. Take a look at the memorials that have been sent to the palace in the past few days."

Having said this, Emperor Longqing said bitterly to the memorials piled up like a hill next to him: "Are those officials so intolerant of a clan?"

"Your Majesty, the matter concerning the King of Liao has been made clear in the memorial. The King of Liao has brought trouble to Jiangling Mansion, and the anger and resentment caused by him in the local area has reached the point where it has to be dealt with.

When the news came back to the capital, all the officials were frightened. They had never expected such evil things to happen, and the public was in a rage.

Please also ask Your Majesty to think of the people, severely punish the King of Liao, and restore peace and prosperity to the place. "

After saying this, Li Chunfang knelt down and said while prostrate.

Li Chunfang knelt down, and Chen Yiqin also knelt down, "Your Majesty, please severely punish the King of Liao, rectify the clan, and let the people of the world bathe in the emperor's grace."

There were many clans in the Ming Dynasty, and there were also many cruel people like the King of Liao.

Chen Yiqin felt that the King of Liao case could be used to severely crack down on the clans that were misbehaving in various places, so that they would reduce their sins. This is what scholars should do.

"I have read the imperial envoy's memorial regarding the matter of the King of Liao, and I am now in a dilemma as to how to deal with it. What is the cabinet's suggestion?"

Although Emperor Longqing had thoughts in his heart, he could not say these things out loud. It would be best if someone else did the talking and he would just follow the trend.

The Palace of Qianqing was discussing how to deal with the King of Liao, and in the cabinet, Wei Guangde frowned while looking at the petition submitted to the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Towards the end of the year, the imperial court's finances became increasingly difficult. However, under such circumstances, the inner court sent a note to the Ministry of Household Affairs, requiring the purchase of colored gemstones, pearls and other items, which could be purchased within three days.

Of course, Ma Sen, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, was extremely reluctant. After discussing with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, he submitted a petition, describing the financial pressure of the Ministry of Revenue and admonishing him to purchase a certain number of gems and pearls next year. The inner court could not be short of treasures, so he would not accept it.

Among the several ministers of the household department, Gao Yao is undoubtedly the most outstanding. He managed the household department in an orderly manner in the late Jiajing years and still has a little accumulation.

Of course, this accumulation is extracted from deficit finance, and the purpose is naturally to prepare for emergencies.

However, this is how the Ming Dynasty still operates.

And this Ma Sen has made some achievements. Although it is not good in Wei Guangde's opinion, he is outspoken and at least not a flatterer.

In the past two years, he has defied Emperor Longqing and the eunuchs in the palace two or three times in order to spend less money.

But doing this all the time is not a long-term solution. Sooner or later, he will be disliked by the emperor, and will eventually end up being dismissed from office.

Wei Guangde also knew that there was really nothing Ma Sen could do about the current situation.

The household department should have some money, but they don't dare to take it out easily. It's just for emergencies.

Why Gao Yao was able to dig out money in the Ministry of Household Affairs in the first place was actually the tacit approval of Xu Jie, Yuan Wei and others.

Emperor Jiajing's health was deteriorating, so the court accelerated the construction of the imperial mausoleum and prepared money for his death.

There are some things I dare not say, but the people below must do them.

But the situation now is different from before. Ma Sen is still saving money for the Ministry of Household Affairs, but he can't explain what he wants to do.

Wei Guangde did not vote for Ma Sen's memorial, but planned to hand it over to Li Chunfang later and let him decide what to do.

A petition is just to tell the emperor that he knows something, and the cabinet does not need to vote for it.

But Wei Guangde felt it was necessary to let other cabinet ministers know about the current situation of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

At least, there was nothing inappropriate about Ma Sen's appointment. When the emperor was dissatisfied with him and wanted to punish him, the cabinet ministers had to come forward and say more good things to save him.

He didn't know that Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin were coming out of Qianqing Palace at this time, and they had previously told Emperor Longqing about the current situation in the court and analyzed the possible impacts of different punishments.

Emperor Longqing's indecisiveness was most vividly displayed at this moment.

He wants to seize this opportunity and eliminate a feudal king once and for all, but he is hesitant and worried that his reputation will be damaged. Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin have analyzed the impact, he is still undecided.

"Come, go to the cabinet to summon Wei Guangde to see you."

When you are undecided, consult someone, listen more, read more, and think more before making a decision.

As soon as Wei Guangde learned that Li Shoufu had been sent to the palace, he was still waiting for someone to come back, so he sent the Hubu's petition to him for a look, and the eunuch from the palace arrived just after that.

"Your Majesty wants to see me? Where are the First Assistant and Second Assistant?"

Wei Guangde was stunned when he heard the oral instructions conveyed by the young chamberlain, and then hurriedly followed him out of the cabinet and headed to Qianqing Palace.

Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin left first, their legs and feet were no match for the little chamberlain, so they were caught up halfway.

When they were about to return to the cabinet, the two of them were still discussing whether to go back and give Zhang Juzheng, Yin Shizhen and others some relief. They saw Wei Guangde following a small chamberlain out of Wenyuan Pavilion.

When the three of them met and greeted each other, Chen Yiqin knew that Emperor Longqing was looking for Wei Guangde to make up his mind.

Previously in the palace, the two people had sensed that the emperor was determined to eliminate the country and would not consider selecting another person to inherit the Liao vassal.

This was a good thing, and the two of them naturally tried their best to promote this matter, but Emperor Longqing did not issue the decree immediately.

With the little chamberlain present, it was naturally difficult for them to tell Wei Guangde what had just been said in the palace. Chen Yiqin just moved his lips and said the word "except for the country". As for whether Wei Guangde could understand it or not, that was all he could do. It depends on God’s will.

Of course Wei Guangde saw Chen Yiqin's mouth opening and closing as if he was saying something, but he didn't hear the sound.

Looking at the young chamberlain next to him and the fact that they had just come out of the palace, Wei Guangde knew that Chen Yiqin was conveying something to him.

Following the young chamberlain, he hurried to Qianqing Palace and moved his mouth imitating Chen Yiqin's, trying to guess what he meant.

After several attempts, he finally figured out the secret. After all, the biggest focus in the court now was the affairs of the King of Liao.

"Extermination of the country? Your Majesty really has this intention?"

When Chen Yiqin and the others came out of the palace and saw him, they said the word "Exterminate the country", which naturally reminded him.

In the previous two cabinet discussions on the Liao Palace, no one mentioned "eliminating the country", and only Emperor Longqing could bring it up.

Wei Guangde had this preconceived notion, so when he met Emperor Longqing, his mood was already settled.

After Wei Guangde entered the palace to salute, Emperor Longqing, as before, pointed to the pile of memorials and talked about the affairs of the King of Liao, and finally asked: "Shandai, you have known me for many years, and I have always trusted you. What can you tell me?" Tell me, what do you think is the best way to deal with the King of Liao?"

Emperor Longqing asked the question straight to the point, which surprised Wei Guangde a little.

"Your Majesty, are you asking what crime I think the King of Liao deserves?"

Wei Guangde asked cautiously.

Emperor Longqing frowned at first, then nodded, "That's exactly what I mean."

"I have read the memorial of Hong Chaoxuan earlier. It can be said that I deeply hate the crimes committed by the King of Liao. If he were an ordinary noble, he should be killed."

Wei Guangde replied.

"But he belongs to the clan and is the vassal king."

Emperor Longqing still frowned and said.

"It is for this reason that I spoke separately.

The crime of the King of Liao deserves to be punished, just because of the clan relationship. His Majesty can be spared because of family ties, and the death penalty can be avoided. The crime of life cannot be escaped. He should be imprisoned in the high walls of Fengyang and never be able to escape. "

Wei Guangde continued.

"Being deposed and imprisoned, is this what you mean?"

Emperor Longqing frowned, and then said: "Yes, the high wall is a place that all clans are afraid of, and this punishment is already very severe.

At the beginning, King Hui chose not to go to that place even if he died because he received the order from his father. "

Emperor Longqing was impressed by the high walls of Fengyang. When he was still in Yuzhuan, during the most difficult time, he thought about whether his final destination would be there.

In particular, his right to inherit the great treasure should be higher than that of his brother King Jing. If the king's brother becomes the emperor, it will be difficult for him to do so.

Moreover, at that time, the relationship between his family and Yan Shifan was on fire. Even if King Jing didn't do anything, Yan Shifan would never let him go.

Unless he retreats bravely and leaves the capital to become a feudal lord before the crown prince decides on the candidate.

Fortunately, despite his hesitation, he finally got his father's decision to let King Jing take over the feudal clan.

"I understand what you mean, and it resonates with my heart."

Emperor Longqing finally showed a smile on his face, although he seemed a little disappointed.

Seeing this, Wei Guangde's heart moved.

"Eating the emperor's salary and being loyal to the emperor are what a minister should do."

Wei Guangde opened his mouth, but then he said: "I heard that His Majesty gave the Ministry of Household Affairs an order to purchase colored gemstones and pearls within three days?"

"Huh? How did you know? Mason went to the cabinet?"

Emperor Longqing's decree to the Ministry of Household Affairs was notified directly from the inner court. It was said to be a decree, but it was not an imperial decree because it did not go through the cabinet and the Sixth Section.

"The Ministry of Household Affairs submitted a petition detailing the revenue and expenditure of this year."

After hearing what Wei Guangde said, Emperor Longqing didn't know what the Ministry of Finance was thinking. Didn't he just put out the account and say that the Ministry of Finance had no money and he wanted to resist the order?

Thinking that a few months ago he had to replace his tents, purchase gold and wood, and prepare to repair the palace, which had been refuted by the Ministry of Revenue, he became even more dissatisfied with Ma Sen's attitude.

"I'm giving you shame by rejecting you several times in a row."

Emperor Longqing thought bitterly at this time, and had already buried in his heart the desire to find an opportunity to deal with Ma Sen.

However, when punishing the minister, he must be well-known, and he cannot use this incident to punish Ma Sen, otherwise the next moment the memorials will flood the Qianqing Palace, all of which should be scolding himself and the eunuchs around him.

Emperor Longqing loves face, and of course he doesn't want to be criticized.

Although he doesn't have to read it, the insults are piled up there. You can pretend not to see them, but you know in your heart that it's quite annoying.

"His Majesty."

Seeing the emperor's unkind expression, Wei Guangde sighed in his heart. Even if he didn't say anything about it today, he would know about it in the afternoon or tomorrow, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I think the Ministry of Revenue has been empty this year. I really can't come up with anything." silver.

However, I thought of something. "

After speaking, Wei Guangde did not continue speaking immediately, but looked around.

Emperor Longqing summoned him today, but did not dismiss the eunuchs around him.

He said that removing the country would be good for the court. He seemed a little embarrassed to say it, let alone let the eunuchs hear it. Who knew whether it would spread.

The fewer people who know about this kind of thing, the better.

The news spread, and the emperor and his face were not good-looking.

Emperor Longqing knew in his heart that Wei Guangde was going to say something confidential and it would be inconvenient for people around him to hear it, so he nodded and said: "You guys go out first. You are not allowed to come in unless I tell you."

"yes."

Tengxiang, Meng Chong and others all bowed to receive the order, then quickly exited the palace and closed the door.

"Shandai, if you have anything to say, tell me now."

Emperor Longqing said: "Between you and me, the monarch and his ministers, we don't have to pay much attention to it. I know what you are doing, so just speak freely."

"His Majesty."

Wei Guangde bowed and said, "I wonder what your Majesty thinks of the reduction of vassalage?"

Wei Guangde and Emperor Longqing were used to knowing everything and saying everything, so Wei Guangde directly dropped a bomb.

The reduction of vassal status was a very serious political event in the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Jianwen's method of reducing vassal status was too harsh and was collectively opposed by the Zhu family. King Zhu Di of Yan took the opportunity to rebel successfully.

During the whole process, all the vassal kings who led the troops, except the King of Liao, almost did not make any move.

The King of Liao's action was only to gather the troops and did not take military action against the city of Beijing, although military pressure existed.

Emperor Longqing rolled his eyes. He didn't understand why Wei Guangde suddenly turned the topic to reducing vassals. The current situation was completely different from that of Emperor Jianwen back then.

"Taizu split the land and sealed the borders, made all his imperial uncles kings, and sent them to all parts of the country. It is certainly good to be responsible for guarding the borders."

This matter cannot be said wrong, only right.

"If that's the case, then why did you decide to cut down the vassalage in the first place?"

Wei Guangde smiled and continued: "Actually, enfeoffing vassal kings is conducive to national stability, but it is not conducive to centralization of power and will further weaken the emperor's control over various state capitals.

Even today, in Yunnan, except for the chief envoys and other important officials who are appointed by the imperial court, most of the local minor officials and minor officials come from Prince Mu's palace. "

"It's different now."

Emperor Longqing frowned and said.

"It's different. The power is not as great as before, but the financial burden on the court is more terrible than decentralization."

Wei Guangde immediately answered.

"At that time, Taizu was wise and powerful, but he did not expect that the imperial government's finances would be unable to make ends meet due to the sudden increase in Lumi.

Chen Qingchen of the Ministry of Finance has carefully read the copy, and if the Lumi method of the Hongwu period is maintained, the Ministry of household affairs will not be short of money for His Majesty to purchase gems and pearls, but..."

When Wei Guangde said this, his words suddenly stopped.