Chapter 666 Nothing is the worst! Only worse!

Chongzhen naturally knew nothing about the good things his father-in-law did. Now he had a lot of things to deal with. His mood was also in an unstable state, sometimes good and sometimes bad. He had not yet fully recovered from the murder of Sun Chengzong and the decay of Beizhili. But by chance, he would be in extreme confidence, thinking that he could turn the tide and restore the glory of the Ming Dynasty in the past.

The news of the fall of Gaoyang City and the killing of Sun Chengzong was sent to Beijing by 100,000 yuan. Sun Chengzong was killed, and Lu Xiangsheng knew that the matter was very small, so he did not dare to neglect it. He immediately sent someone to Beijing to report. Chongzhen received the Feishu when lunch was about to come. His face changed drastically, his mind was confused, and he could hardly support him. He stomped his feet repeatedly, saying, "Hi! Hi! Hi!" Then he burst into tears.

Emperor Chongzhen had never cried like this in the Ganqing Palace, which made the eunuchs and palace maids in the Ganqing Palace very panic. Those with heads and faces knelt on the ground to persuade, while those without heads stood with breath outside the curtains and under the eaves. The surroundings of the Ganqing Palace were in chaos. While crying, Chongzhen suddenly remembered something and yelled: "That Lu Xiangsheng! Arrest! Wait for trial!"

An old eunuch standing under the eaves, who had served Wanli and Tianqi, had never been concerned about the affairs outside the palace. He always thought that despite the war and natural disasters, the foundation of the Ming Dynasty was as solid as iron and copper cast. He hoped to see the national fortune with his own eyes, but suddenly he knew the news about Gaoyang City. Seeing the emperor crying so hard, he couldn't help but choke and cry. He couldn't bear to listen anymore. He walked to a secluded place, sighed softly, and said unconsciously: "Oh, the sky is about to collapse!"

As for Emperor Chongzhen's roar, there were naturally other eunuchs who quickly passed the imperial edict. The cabinet did not dare to delay, so they hurriedly drafted the imperial edict, and then sent the Jinyiwei team to Gaoyang City. As a result, after an imperial edict was sent, Lu Xiangsheng was arrested and imprisoned. In fact, the cabinet ministers, including the prime minister Wen Tiren, all sympathized with Lu Xiangsheng. Unfortunately, Emperor Chongzhen is now on the fire, so how dare they touch Chongzhen's bad intentions and plead for Lu Xiangsheng?

These days, there are really not many people who can fight wars without complaints. Lu Xiangsheng is one of them. The cabinet originally thought of giving Lu Xiangsheng more power and using him to pacify the world. Unexpectedly, such a thing happened. They had to sigh that it was really a matter of heaven that did not bless the Ming Dynasty. Lu Xiangsheng was a talent, but because of Sun Chengzong's death, he went to Zhaozhu inexplicably.

This matter is not big or small. Sun Chengzong was Chongzhen's teacher and a high-ranking minister. His death did a great blow to the court. However, even if Sun Chengzong was at the high-ranking minister, he was still a minister. Even if he was Chongzhen's teacher, there was no need to act so exaggerated. Emperor Chongzhen was so angry that he actually had selfish thoughts.

Chongzhen has always been celebrating his filial piety in everything to earn a false reputation. As a result, this time, something big happened, and even his teacher was not protected. He was killed by the Tartars. He was filial! The image he finally established was fatal blow, revealing the ugliness and vulgarity below. This is the main reason why Chongzhen got angry.

If Chongzhen really cared about Sun Chengzong's life and death, he should order the Beijing camp to send troops quickly, send cavalry to Gaoyang City, and forcibly withdraw Sun Chengzong. With the emperor's edict, Sun Chengzong must abide by it no matter how stubborn Sun Chengzong was. In other words, as long as Chongzhen took action, Sun Chengzong would be saved. However, Chongzhen did not take action, but watched Sun Chengzong be killed by the Tartars.

As a result, when the bad news came, he cried again like his parents who had died, pretending to be pure and filial, which made people feel disgusted from the bottom of their hearts. To put it in an old saying, if you had known this, why should you have been? You didn't care about others before you died, and you cried loudly after you died, which was extremely hypocritical. Wen Tiren, Fan Fucui, Chen Yin and others in the cabinet were all cunning figures, how could they not know this?

It was because he was worried that his indifference and harshness would be seen through by his subordinates that Chongzhen wanted to cry desperately and express his sadness towards Sun Chengzong. At this time, others must not participate in this matter, otherwise, Chongzhen, who was angry and embarrassed, would definitely even take down himself. It was obvious that he did something wrong, but he always asked his ministers to take the blame. This was Chongzhen's habitual action.

Chongzhen cried for a while and slowly stopped. One reason was that Wang Chengen, the eunuch in charge of the Sili Supervisor, also came to hear the letter and knelt in front of him to persuade him. The other reason was that he had to report the affairs of Gaoyang City to the ancestors and gods, and to deal with the aftermath of Gaoyang City. Chongzhen stopped crying, waved everyone away, and sat alone on the imperial bed in the western warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace in contemplation.

During lunch, he removed the usual music and reduced dozens of dishes to more than a dozen, which was called "removing music and reducing meals", which meant that the state was misfortune and the emperor was sad and relieved. Chongzhen was eating, but suddenly remembered the incident in Gaoyang City. He was sad and cried, and he threw it into tears. He wanted to take a break after lunch before reporting to the gods of his ancestors. Now it was hard to wait. He did not take a chariot and walked to Fengxian Hall, kneeling in front of the Lord of the Wanli to cry loudly.

The one who was killed was Sun Chengzong, not a member of the royal family. Why did Chongzhen cry when he went to Emperor Wanli? The reason is very simple. Sun Chengzong was guided by Emperor Wanli. He first worked in Zhan Shi Mansion, and was then appointed as Zhu Changluo's teacher by Wanli. Zhu Changluo was the short-lived Emperor Taichang, the old man of Chongzhen, who died in a month after ascending the throne. As a result, Sun Chengzong became the teacher of Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youzhai. After Zhu Youzhai's death, Sun Chengzong became Chongzhen's teacher again.

Therefore, it can be said that Sun Chengzong was once the teacher of the three emperors. This is also the reason why Chongzhen was so sad. The three imperial teachers did not end up in a good life, which was a big blow to his reputation. It would be wrong to say that Chongzhen had no regrets in his heart at this time. If he knew that Sun Chengzong would be killed, he would consider sending the capital to dispatch it. Unfortunately, he still had fantasies at that time, thinking that Gaoyang City could support Lu Xiangsheng's arrival.

"It's all Lu Xiangsheng's fault!"

When Chongzhen thought of Lu Xiangsheng's name, he immediately pushed all his sins to him. The emperor would never make mistakes, and those who were wrong would always be ministers. If Lu Xiangsheng had not acted slowly and did not rescue Gaoyang City in time, how could Sun Chengzong die? If Sun Chengzong did not die, how could he lose face in front of the ministers?

Since ascending the throne, Chongzhen's character has always been very proud, always thinking about revitalizing the court, rectifying national strength, and restoring the prestige of the former Celestial Kingdom. The reign title Chongzhen means revitalizing. However, what surprised him was that since ascending the throne, there have been almost no good things, but continuous blows have followed one after another.

First, the Tartars invaded continuously, ravaging the northern country to an inconspicuous state, and then the Shaanxi riots rampant, and they were still unable to clear them up. Then, another Zhang Zhun appeared in Shandong, which turned upside down. Now, even three imperial sects have died at the hands of the Tartars, and his wrong decisions have been seen through by his subordinates. This has caused a great blow to his ambitions and endurance of humiliation.

When Empress Zhou heard the news, she hurriedly sent an order to Tian, ​​Concubine Yuan, Prince and Yong, and the two Kings of Ding quickly came to Kunning Palace and led them to Fengxian Palace. Because they were not allowed to enter without following the imperial edict, they knelt outside the hall gate, and advised the emperor to return to the palace for dinner, not to be too sad and damage the "holy body". Chongzhen was not willing to listen, but instead cried even more painfully. In order to hide his inner ugliness, Chongzhen wanted to do enough of this crying scene.

But the others did not realize the truth, and thought Chongzhen was really sad, and they were really anxious. As the queen persuaded her, she burst into tears. Because the emperor, the queen, the imperial concubine, the prince and the two little princes were all crying, and many eunuchs and palace maids who were attending her were crying. From inside the hall to outside the hall, there was a crying sound, as if the country was about to be destroyed.

There are four ancient cypress trees in the courtyard, one of which is the thickest and the highest. According to legend, during the Jiajing period, it was once struck by lightning and burned one side of the branches to death. However, by the early years of Wanli, most of the dead branches sprouted again, which was more prosperous than other branches and leaves. The old eunuchs in the palace said that this ancient cypress was protected by the gods of ancestors, and its prosperity and decay can be used to verify the fate of the country.

Unfortunately, in recent years, for some reason, the heart of the tree has died, causing most of the branches to die. On the dead branches at the highest point, there is a crow's nest. Now the crow is awakened by the crying sound in the nest, jumps onto the dry branches, looks down, and suddenly screams two or three times, flying elsewhere. No matter when, hearing the crow's cries, it is an ominous sign. For a moment, the atmosphere in the palace became even more depressed.

Chongzhen cried for a while, and stood up with the eunuch Wang Chengen, and asked the queen, Hotan and Concubine Yuan to go in and knelt in front of the gods of Wanli to salute. After they saluted, he choked and said to them: "The ancestors have never had such tragic changes in their ancestors for three hundred years. Since I have been in power, I have respected the heavens and ruled the ancestors, worked diligently and loved the people, and have never lost their morality. I did not expect that Jianlu is so rampant and difficult to control, and the disasters are getting worse and worse. In Gaoyang City, the imperial teacher was killed. The imperial teacher died at the hands of Jianlu. This is the first time in three hundred years. How can I be worthy of the ancestors and ancestors!"

After saying that, he started crying again.

In order to increase the "reduction of faults" towards heaven, he not only "reduced the fun and reduced the meal", but also stopped eating meat. Acting was really ten years old. Although he was not full of meat and was not used to being completely vegetarian, he resolutely made up his mind and told the imperial kitchen that he would not prepare meat dishes for him within a hundred days. The queen was afraid of harming his body, so she led the field and the second concubine of Yuan came to the Qianqing Palace to persuade him to stop eating vegetarian food. He shook his head and refused to persuade him, and sighed with tears in his eyes:

"I suppress the thieves every year and every day, and I have achieved such a result! I am not a weak king, and I am always working hard for the country and striving to govern. Unfortunately, God does not bless me and punish me. I do not eat meat or drink alcohol, but I only want to empathize with God and win back the hearts of heaven. You are very unaware of things and do not understand my difficulties!"

Sun Chengzong was the imperial teacher, and the relationship between this imperial teacher was like a father and son. Chongzhen wanted to show off his filial piety in everything, so he naturally had to deal with the funeral of Sun Chengzong. What worried him was that Sun Chengzong's entire family, including six sons, two nephews, twelve grandsons, nephews and so on, all died. Now, even Sun Chengzong's relatives in front of him have not been found yet. This news has also caused a great blow to Chongzhen's image of filial piety.

As an emperor, if he really cares about his teacher, he will always be concerned about his well-being, caring and considerate, helping his teacher's family and relatives, and seeking a job that is not excessive. For an emperor, that is not a problem at all. Even if Sun Chengzong is clean and embarrassed to interfere in the officialdom and arrange his children, Sun Chengzong will not be embarrassed if he has the emperor's edict. Others dare not say anything. The emperor helps his teacher to do something, who dares to say anything? Respecting teachers and valuing education, do you boy understand? Don't understand! Go home and reflect carefully!

However, Chongzhen did not do this. After Sun Chengzong retired, Chongzhen basically forgot his teacher. The result is that Sun Chengzong's son and nephew did not hold any official positions and all worked in their homes in Gaoyang City. As a result, all the Tartars died. This also made Chongzhen feel that others looked at him in the wrong way. Because, as long as Sun Chengzong had one or two sons to hold official positions in another place, the whole family would not die, and even the relatives who would handle the funeral could not be found.

In order to hide his hypocrisy, Chongzhen wanted to bury Sun Chengzong, but the national treasury was very empty. Hou Xun had a dead face and could not take out any extra silver. Chongzhen had to raise funds in the palace. He took out his own 10,000 taels of silver, the queen took out four thousand taels, three thousand concubine Tian, ​​two thousand concubine Yuan, ten thousand prince, and one thousand queen Yi'an of Ciqing Palace. In addition, the imperial ancestor Xuan Yiyi Huikang Zhao Concubine Zhao and Huangkao Wen Ding Yi Concubine each, they collected 31,000 taels of silver. They ordered the eunuch of the Silijian, Wang Yumin, to go to Gaoyang City to find Sun Chengzong's relatives and take good care of them.

"Tell the ministers!"

"Tomorrow we will discuss matters!"

After being sad, Chongzhen had to reluctantly raise his spirits and summon the ministers to discuss countermeasures.

The Tartars were still rampant in Northern Zhili. If they did not find a way to solve the problem as soon as possible, they would probably cause even greater trouble. Sun Chengzong's death made many ministers secretly feel disappointed at Chongzhen's meanness and mercy. Chongzhen himself knew it well and had to find a way to remedy it.

The next day, on the 26th day of the first lunar month, just after the morning hour, several cabinet ministers, six ministers and left and right ministers, and ministers of each subject were summoned to the palace. They first met outside the Jinshui Bridge inside the Huangji Gate, passed through the Hongzheng Gate, the middle left gate, and the right back gate. Inside the gate was the place where the emperor often summoned his ministers, commonly known as the platform.

Last night, the imperial edict said that it would be called here today, but it was deserted and there was only one eunuch waiting here. He told the officials that because he felt uncomfortable in the imperial body, he summoned him in the Qianqing Palace. So the group of court officials continued to walk forward, bypassed the back of Jianji Hall, and entered the Qianqing Gate. Outside the door, there were two tall gilded lions, one on the left and right, and golden light flashed under the sun.

On weekdays, if the court officials have the opportunity to be summoned to the Qianqing Palace, if they are not nervous, they can't help but glance at the two lions and appreciate their beautiful expressions. The skilled craftsmen in the previous dynasty actually unified the majestic, majestic, beautiful and lively. But today they have no leisure to admire the lions and continue to move forward under the leadership of the eunuch.

Because the country suffered heavy incidents and the emperor was in a very bad mood, the ministers were very worried, afraid of being severely punished, and the irresponsible officials also half-true and half-filled, and were prepared in their hearts that whenever they had the chance, they would attack Zhang Fengyi, Liang Tingdong and others who they disliked, and gain a good reputation of "daring to speak out".

Entering the Ganqing Gate is the Imperial Road, with exquisitely carved white jade railings and railings on both sides. The ministers walked north from both sides of the Imperial Road to Chongjie, which is the southbound Danbi. In the middle is a huge stone slab carved with two dragons protecting the sun, full of auspicious clouds, and there is a tide underneath. The structure is tight, complete, and vivid.

The ministers lowered their heads and went up from the stone steps on both sides to the platform in front of the main hall of the Ganqing Palace, which is the so-called Danbao. There are gold-plated copper dragons, copper turtles, and copper cranes on the Danbao, all of which are more than five feet high, paired together, sandwiched with imperial roads, and confronted east and west; there are also treasure tripods and incense burners, and other furnishings. As soon as the ministers entered the Ganqing Gate, they were surrounded by a very solemn and solemn atmosphere. The more they walked forward, the more respect and fear they became. When they arrived in front of the main hall of the Ganqing Palace, they didn't even dare to leave.

The eunuch did not take them into the main hall, but took them east from the eaves of the main hall to the east and to Dongjiaomen. Several people were brave and looked up and saw a faded yellow paper post posted on the wall, which read: "Mrs. Zhenshi passed on the imperial edict: No noise is allowed in the Dongjiaomen."

Because the secrets of the deep palace are almost isolated from the extension, people who read this post don’t know who is called the wife of Zhenshi. But everyone knows in their hearts that the emperor must be in a mess and needs to save documents, so eunuchs are not allowed to speak loudly in the corner gate. There is a small building next to the corner gate, with a yellow brocade curtain hanging on the forehead, with a small plaque hanging on the forehead, which says Zhaoren Hall.

The eunuchs lifted two brocade curtains, and everyone bowed in. To the east, they lifted two brocade curtains. The ministers entered the innermost room before they arrived at the place where the emperor summoned them. Chongzhen looked haggard and sat on the imperial bed with yellow satin mattress. On the couch was a small table of red sandalwood, a few documents were placed on top, and a tea bowl with a lid was placed on a lotus leaf-shaped silver tea tray. A small plaque hung on the left, which was the four words "Resistance of Self and Restoration" written by Chongzhen's imperial pen.

After the ministers kowtowed, Chongzhen called them up, then sighed and said with a sad expression: "I have been in power for nine years. The country has been in trouble and has been famine for years. People have eaten each other. It is very pity. Recently, alas, the chaos has become more and more serious. Jianlu captured Gaoyang City and the imperial army was killed."

His eyes turned red, he shook his head sadly, and then said, "Mencius said, "Give a kiss and be kind to the people, be kind to the people and love things. Even the imperial teacher cannot be safeguarded. It is all caused by my lack of virtue. I really deserve to die!"

The chief assistant Wen Tiren hurriedly said, "Prince, please beg for the change."

All the other ministers respectfully asked the Holy One and asked Chongzhen to mourn the changes.

Regarding Sun Chengzong's death, some of the ministers here know very well about the reasons and blame Chongzhen himself. However, some of the ministers who do not know much about the exact reasons, blame the Ministry of War and Lu Xiangsheng. Some people even believe that Hong Chengchou was improperly in command. Each minister has his own ideas, but he can't see it in his expression.

Chongzhen slowly stopped crying and said bitterly: "The situation is difficult, what are you good ways? What should I do if the Tartars are so rampant?"

Fan Fucui was a newly promoted cabinet minister. He came out and said, "Emperor, the Tartars are raging, and the army must be wiped out. I dared to suggest that the Grand Secretary and the Supervisor gather the military forces of Liaodong, Xuanda, Shaanxi, Shandong and Henan to besiege the Tartars around Baoding Prefecture and destroy them in one fell swoop."

His tone was very exciting, but it did not elicit too many responses.

The other ministers present did not have the ambitions of Fan Fucui. Fan Fucui had been in Dali Temple before and had no reputation. No one knew why Chongzhen suddenly promoted him and then entered the cabinet. Fan Fucui had never been involved in military affairs before, and he did not know much about the combat effectiveness of the imperial government army, so he had such a statement.

Other ministers had heard of the combat effectiveness of the court's official army. They knew very well about the abilities of Wang Kun, Gao Qiqian and others. In their opinion, even if the Ming army pounced on them, they might not be able to kill the Tartars. The Tartars were all cavalry, and they came and went like the wind. The Ming army could not surround them at all. Once they attacked, there was still the danger of being defeated by the Tartars one by one.

Another cabinet minister, Chen Yin, frowned and said, "This is inappropriate. Xuanda Legion and Liaodong Legion are the left and right arms of our army and cannot be easily transferred. Besides, our army is not good at field battles, and once we leave the city, it will be easy to be taken advantage of by the enemy."

Fan Fucui frowned and said, "Since neither of the two armies can be transferred, can the emperor issue an order to let Zhang Zhun lead his army westward and reinforce Baoding Prefecture and other places?"

When all the ministers heard Zhang Zhun's name, they were slightly shocked, and then they looked complicated and did not say a word. Fan Fucui's proposal was of course good. The ministers present basically knew the results of Dongjiabao's battle. There should be no big problem with Zhang Zhun leading the Hu Ben Army to the west and lifting the siege of Baoding Prefecture. The only problem was Zhang Zhun's side actions. It is almost certain that wherever Zhang Zhun's troops went, they were his territory.

Now, if anyone in the court does not understand Zhang Zhun's ambition, he must be a person who has transformed himself. Zhang Zhun's ambition can basically be described as Sima Zhao's heart, which is known to everyone, and Zhang Zhun himself has never concealed it. Zhang Zhun had no problem defeating the Tartars. However, after defeating the Tartars, Zhang Zhun was all under his jurisdiction. Zhang Zhun had already controlled Shandong. If he controlled Bei Zhili, the imperial court would probably have to move the capital.

"It's Zhang Zhun again..."

Chongzhen felt that his mouth was very bitter.

Zhang Zhun? Why is it Zhang Zhun again? In the past, when ministers discussed matters, they would never bring out Zhang Zhun's name at once. But now, after just a few words, Zhang Zhun's name appeared. This made Chongzhen feel very annoyed and very dissatisfied. Could it be that no one in the world can deal with the Tartars except Zhang Zhun?

Don't believe it!

I absolutely don't believe it!

In the world, there are definitely talents who are more powerful than Zhang Zhun!

Chongzhen said sternly: "Is there no other way except Zhang Zhun leads his army westward?"

The ministers looked at me, and I looked at you, and then remained silent. Obviously, they had agreed to Chongzhen's question. Of course, they knew that Wang Kun and Gao Qiqian had such a little ability. If they wanted them to go out to fight with the Tartars, it would be better to arrest and imprison them directly. Hong Chengchou had some skills, but he was so far away in Zhending Mansion and was unable to make a comeback!

Chongzhen did not expect that this would be the result. No one paid attention to his meaning. Even Wen Tiren, who had always been flexible and clever, closed his eyes and rested, pretending to be unaware of anything. Chongzhen did not make a fuss and said harshly: "I don't believe it. Without this Zhang Zhun, I can't act! I believe that Yang Sichang is a natural genius, and he will replace Lu Xiangsheng and serve as the prime minister of the five provinces!"

Fan Fucui hurriedly said, "Emperor, Yang Sichang has little experience..."

Chongzhen said angrily: "Yang Sichang has been in the border for five years, how many years has Zhang Zhun been?"

Fan Fucui was speechless.

The emperor is foolish, what else should he say?

Therefore, the court meeting ended and ordered Yang Sichang to be the prime minister of the five provinces to succeed Lu Xiangsheng.

Back in the study room of the cabinet, Fan Fucui threw the handboard angrily and said dissatisfiedly: "My Lords, do you really believe that Yang Sichang can be in charge? This villain has been in the border for five years. What else do you know except drinking blood from soldiers and embezzling military pay?"

Chen Yin looked around and said deeply: "Do you think Yang Sichang is willing to take over the hot hot potato of the prime ministers of the five provinces? That's all the emperor's meaning! You didn't see it? You mentioned Zhang Zhun! The emperor's taboo is Zhang Zhun!"

Fan Fucui still said angrily: "If you leave it well, Zhang Zhun, don't use Yang Sichang! I think the situation in Beizhili is not the worst, only worse!"

His hometown was in Huangxian County, Dengzhou Prefecture. Zhang Zhun lived at Fan Fucui's home during the battle. Therefore, Fan Fucui knew very clearly about the battle in Huangxian. Fan Fucui believed that there must be no problem in sending Zhang Zhun to deal with the Tartars. Zhang Zhun and his Tiger Army were like a sharp blade that could pierce the hearts of all Tartars.

Wen Tiren said meaningfully: "Muzhi, you are sleepy, go back and rest!"

Fan Fucui turned around and left angrily, not even needing his own handboard.

Chen Yin sighed helplessly, accused Wen Tiren of guilt, and turned around and left.

At today's court meeting, he had a great hope, thinking that his suggestions should be supported by Chongzhen. Unexpectedly, Chongzhen's thoughts seemed to be not on the war at all. More things seemed to be... acting? Well, Chen Yin's intuition felt that Chongzhen was acting, as if he was trying to cover up something, not to solve the problem exactly. The world belongs to Chongzhen, and he himself didn't care. Why should others be so anxious? Just go home and enjoy it!

Wen Tiren stood silently in front of the desk table, not knowing what he was thinking. Today, it was the first time he had not smoothed out the situation for Chongzhen. This required a lot of courage for him. Fortunately, he had already thought of a way out. It took a long time before he sat down, rectified his pen and ink, took out a blank memorial, and wrote in a straightforward manner: "I am afraid of the crime...I am old...I begging for bones...I retire..."
Chapter completed!