Chongzhen actually didn't want to forgive Lu Xiangsheng for his life.

Sun Chengzong's death made Chongzhen feel embarrassed, as if his ugly, selfish, indifferent, mean, and weak, were all exposed. He did something wrong and felt guilty, and felt that others' eyes were different from before. He was suspicious and reminded himself more and more that he must deal with Sun Chengzong's issues with caution and save his image as much as possible.

However, Gao Qiqian's memorial made Chongzhen feel a little contradictory. Gao Qiqian's memorial was submitted at this time and used his great military achievements to exchange for Lu Xiangsheng's life. As the emperor, if he continued to persist, it would feel a bit unkind. Besides, pardoning ministers was originally one of the important ways for the emperor to win the favor of ministers. Parding Lu Xiangsheng could actually be exchanged for the favor of ministers.

In fact, Chongzhen also knew that killing ministers at this time would be useless. On the contrary, pardoning a person would also get extra gratitude from the ministers. However, after thinking about it, Chongzhen was still a little hesitant. If he didn't kill Lu Xiangsheng, he seemed to be not heartbroken enough for Sun Chengzong's death, not as if he was losing his parents, and not sincere enough. In short, if he didn't kill Lu Xiangsheng, his image of pure filial piety would seem to be unable to be saved.

He couldn't help but remember the funeral of Sun Chengzong. Sun Chengzong's funeral was held in the capital. To cover up his inner filth, Chongzhen instructed that the funeral must be grand and must be used with the highest specifications, and even be raised to the standard of the death of the prince. So, a few days after learning about Sun Chengzong's death, the Ministry of Rites' various praises and honors for Sun Chengzong had been submitted to the emperor and was ordered to handle it quickly.

These honorary items include the gift of Yi Zhonglie, the title of Prince Taibao, the offering of Nine Altars, and the establishment of Ci Hall in the capital city and the hometown of Gaoyang of Sun Chengzong. After the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works, they jointly participated in the emperor. The ancestral hall in the capital city was built on the east side of Yuecheng, Zhengyang Gate. Guan Yu was the most respected in the Ming Dynasty and was granted the title of Xietian Emperor. The imperial temples were everywhere throughout the country, and the Guandi Temple built on the west side of Yuecheng, Zhengyang Gate, was very famous in the capital city. Now, a "Zhaozhong Temple" was built on the east side of Yuecheng, which clearly meant that Sun Chengzong was paired with Guan Yu.

The sacrificial shed is set outside Chaoyang Gate, near Dongyue Temple, on a clearing ground half a mile north of the main road, facing north and south. Facing Dongguan Road, many poor houses were demolished, which were very wide. On the main road, a archway was built with pine and cypress branches and plain paper flowers, and a yellow silk banner was hung in the middle, with a letter of "Imperial Beverage Festival". There are three gates on the archway, and the middle gate is the imperial road, which is for the emperor to come to pay sacrifices in person, so the floor is paved with yellow sand.

From the archway to the sacrificial shed that was one arrow away, there were many poles on both sides of the road, two rows of white silk banners and elegy couplets sent by the central government offices. There were four white cloth sheds three feet away on both sides of the road, two on each side, three for temporary rest for the sacrificial officials of the Ministry of Rites and the sacrificial officials of each office, one for the family of Sun Chengzong to stay and rest. There were also small cloth sheds for musicians, which were set in front of the sacrificial sheds and opposite to each other. The other deacons had two smaller cloth sheds, all behind the sacrificial sheds.

A yellow satin plaque was hung on the door of the sacrificial shed, with white satin on it, and four large characters written by Chongzhen's imperial pen: "Loyal Soul Immortal". The sacrificial shed is a mourning hall, which is arranged very solemnly and solemnly. A six plain white screen is located in the middle of the mourning hall. There are long tables in front of the screen, white satin and plain flowers, and Sun Chengzong's spirit plaque is placed on it. Gong Kai said, "Therefore, the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty, the Governor of Ji Liao, the Prince Taibao, the Emperor's Teacher, and the posthumously titled Zhonglie and the spiritual throne of Sun Gong."

In front, there is a pair of tall tin candlesticks on both sides, and in the middle is a white steel incense burner. Next to the spiritual table is an altar with white cloaks. There are hangs of treasures and elegies couplets on all sides of the mourning hall door and on both sides of the pine and cypress archway door, all written on white silk and fine white kudzu. All couplets and elegies couplets praise Sun Chengzong's loyalty, patriotism and sacrifices his life heroically.

After all, the capital is a place where literati gather. When it comes to the rare opportunity for the emperor to offer sacrifices to ministers who have died for the country, all the yamen, all the old friends of Sun Chengzong during his lifetime, as well as colleagues in the court who had no meetings, and famous gentry all sent elegiac couplets. Those who did not know how to make elegiac couplets would be asked to write them on their behalf. They each showed their talents and showed their calligraphy. It was really dazzling and beautiful.

In fact, as three imperial teachers, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Minister of War, Governor of Ji Liao, Sun Chengzong, relatives and subordinates, there were indeed many relatives, friends and subordinates. The elegiac couplets they sent were unable to be hung all in the mourning hall. There was no way, the people from the Ministry of Rites had to make many screens on both sides of the mourning hall, and hung the elegiac couplets on the screen, so that they could satisfy their use.

When Chongzhen went to worship, he realized at first sight that the couplet at the middle gate of the archway, although not quite stable, wrote down the ambition and mood of the court at that time. The couplet was as follows: ten years of hardship, half a year of lonely city, generous and loyal to the king, the old minister's orders were destined to be loyal; return to the soul of thousands of miles, and the wind of thousands of miles, mourns the elders, and the holy lords are deeply grateful to Dianlong.

Because of these reasons, Chongzhen was still deeply impressed by the funeral at that time. At that time, even Chongzhen himself seemed to be really moved by Sun Chengzong. He secretly vowed to kill Lu Xiangsheng and sacrifice to Sun Chengzong. Now, it has only been two or three months since the funeral, so he forgives Lu Xiangsheng... What would people outside say?

"Emperor, Chen Xinjia is here."

Wang Chengen quietly came in to report.

"Call him in!"

Chongzhen nodded and said.

Soon, an official dressed in a second-rank official appeared in front of Chongzhen and saluted respectfully. This person was Chen Xinjia, the new Minister of War.

Chen Xinjia was originally the Right Chief Inspector, responsible for governor Xuanfu, and had no outstanding achievements before. However, a month ago, he was suddenly promoted to the Minister of War and took office. In this way, the court had three full-time Ministers of War, and more were appointed as Minister of War.

For this reason, well-informed figures in the capital were secretly speculating that the emperor first promoted Wu Aheng to serve as the governor of Ji Liao, and now he asked Chen Xinjia to be in charge of the Ministry of War. He was afraid that the two original ministers of the Ministry of War, Zhang Fengyi and Liang Tingdong, would be in trouble. The Tartars invaded the third time, must have a minister responsible for this. Zhang and Liang were very likely to be punished by Chongzhen.

Chen Xinjia naturally understood the emperor's thoughts. For his future, he had thoughts about Chongzhen's thoughts in a variety of ways, thinking about him, and trying to find out Chongzhen's true intentions in advance. Today, Chongzhen summoned him, and Chen Xinjia also vaguely knew something about Lu Xiangsheng.

In fact, in Chen Xinjia's opinion, this is really not a big deal. Many people need to take responsibility for the death of Sun Chengzong. It is obviously inappropriate to put all the responsibilities on Lu Xiangsheng. It would be even more unreasonable to insist on executing Lu Xiangsheng.

But Chongzhen was guilty and felt that when he let Lu Xiangsheng go, he seemed to be like that. Chen Xinjia was embarrassed to say that specifically. In short, it was Chongzhen's face that was the one who wanted to kill Lu Xiangsheng, and it had nothing to do with Sun Chengzong himself.

"My minister Chen Xinjia bowed to the emperor."

Chen Xinjia bowed respectfully and said respectfully.

"Chen Xinjia, what should you do about Lu Xiangsheng?"

Chongzhen asked bluntly.

"Your Majesty's holy heart is dictatorial, and I dare not speak nonsense."

Of course, Chen Xinjia didn't dare to say it directly, and he just said it was an excuse.

"Tell me, I don't blame you."

Chongzhen said tolerantly.

He has a big characteristic, that is, the ministers he likes are very tolerant of him and basically will not punish him much. For example, Wen Tiren, Yang Sichang, and Chen Xinjia were all attracted by Chongzhen. He believes that the promotion of Yang Sichang and Chen Xinjia can change the situation where no one is in the court and bring good luck to himself.

"Your Majesty, I think it's better to let Lu Xiangsheng make meritorious service..."

Chen Xinjia said carefully and carefully.

In fact, these words were not Chen Xinjia's meaning, but were the meaning of many colleagues, especially Wang Qiaonian, the Minister of Justice. Why did Chen Xinjia listen to Wang Qiaonian? Because when he first joined the company, he served as a minister in the Ministry of Justice, so he had some feelings for the people in the Ministry of Justice. Of course, the most critical reason was the problem of money.

Wang Qiaonian was determined to excuse Lu Xiangsheng, and some people wanted to accept Lu Xiangsheng. Naturally, there would be no problem with the money. Wang Qiaonian took 30,000 taels of silver, and as long as Chen Xinjia was in front of the emperor, excusing Lu Xiangsheng. Chen Xinjia had just entered the capital and really needed a lot of silver to manage it. When he saw the white silver, he was a little moved. After thinking for a while, he accepted it quickly.

Chen Xinjia estimated that it would be a big problem to say something good for Lu Xiangsheng in front of Chongzhen. Moreover, Chen Xinjia knew very well that Chongzhen was in a conflict at the moment. On the one hand, he wanted to kill Lu Xiangsheng to show that he was unforgivable to Sun Chengzong's death. However, he wanted to forgive Lu Xiangsheng and gain a good reputation as a sword. To put it bluntly, he wanted to be a bitch and a archway.

Chongzhen frowned and said, "Lu Xiangsheng was extremely guilty..."

Chen Xinjia said hesitantly: "Lu Xiangsheng is extremely guilty and cannot be forgiven. However, his colleagues in the court mostly believe that there are still some possible gains in his marching and war. Today is a chaotic autumn, with wars and heavy military affairs. If he can make meritorious service..."

Well, don’t you want to gain a good reputation? I’ll give it to you now. I don’t have enough strength alone, so it should be enough to attract many court officials. Judging from Wang Qiaonian’s tone, it should be more than the one who received the money. Chen Xinjia should be the only one who received the money. At the right time, others will definitely plead for Lu Xiangsheng.

Sure enough, I heard that the ministers in the court were willing to ask for Lu Xiangsheng, Chongzhen's expression calmed down. This was what he needed. It was you who tried hard to plead for Lu Xiangsheng that I let him go. Otherwise, I would not let him go because of Sun Chengzong's affairs. This not only gained the favor of the ministers, but also successfully safeguarded his unforgivable feelings for Sun Chengzong's death.

Chongzhen frowned and said, "The officials in the court have not had any memorials to plead for Lu Xiangsheng."

Chen Xinjia said tactfully: "I am guaranteed by my head, and they are all willing to submit a memorial to excuse Lu Xiangsheng. At present, the memorial should have reached the cabinet."

Chongzhen said: "Since that's the case, you go to the cabinet to see if there are any related memorials. If there are, take them all for me!"

Chen Xinjia thanked him and left, and went straight to the cabinet. The cabinet minister on duty was Fan Fucui. Hearing Chen Xinjia explain his purpose, Fan Fucui smiled and said, "You are here just in time, and there are already seven similar memorials. There will be some more in the afternoon. Please wait for an afternoon to talk about it."

Sure enough, in the afternoon, more memorials of pleading came up. Chen Xinjia was secretly surprised. Lu Xiangsheng, who had such connections, could actually impress so many ministers and plead for him. It seemed that he had spent a lot of money! In just half a day, Chen Xinjia collected memorials of more than twenty ministers pleading for Lu Xiangsheng, and he hurriedly showed them to Chongzhen.

Chongzhen said slowly: "Since that's the case, then I will pass the imperial edict, Lu Xiang will be promoted, dismissed, and will never be used."

Chen Xinjia stepped down respectfully.

...

Two days later, Lu Xiangsheng came out of the Zhao Prison of the Jinyiwei.

He was originally strong and strong, and had been in Zhao Prison for several months and had lost a lot of weight. He was dark and thin, and stood outside Zhao Prison, and felt like everything was illusory. He never thought that he would have a chance to come out. Thinking of his days in Zhao Prison, even a brave figure as brave as Lu Xiangsheng, he was shuddered.

What greeted him outside Zhao Prison was not his family. What was waiting for him was a young man and a carriage. The young man was in his twenties, smiling and looked very friendly. His family had all returned to his hometown. He believed that he would die, so he had arranged his funeral. He didn't care at all about his body and let the court handle it. Unexpectedly, he suddenly felt a little caught off guard.

Lu Xiangsheng asked in wonder, "Who are you?"

The young man smiled and said, "I won't tell you."

After saying that, he waved his hand and immediately came up with two quick-moving families, knocking Lu Xiangsheng out of the carriage, and took it away. The sound of horse hooves was crisp, and he quickly left the capital and rushed directly to the Tianjin Wei.
Chapter completed!