The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 83. Ironclad Evidence in Hand!

All officials enter the hall!

As the announcement was made, civil and military officials filed in.

Li Shanchang even glanced back at Liu Bowen, but whether he was worried about Han Yike's impeachment remains unknown.

Regardless, at least for now, this matter cannot be brought up in the open.

"Gentlemen, before today's court meeting, let us first ask Miss Yu'er to read the Empress Dowager's letter of self-reproach."

"As the Crown Prince, I feel responsible for my grandmother's sins, and therefore I stand here to speak."

Zhu Xiong Ying slowly spoke, then stood up from his seat and stood on the high platform.

Such words don't necessarily show much filial piety, but at least they've followed the rules.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that today's "letter of self-reproach" would later become a report of merit, and it would be strange if he were to write it with tears streaming down his face.

Upon hearing these words, the entire court of officials immediately paled!
"No! What wrong has Her Majesty done? There is no need for her to blame herself!"

Li Shanchang spoke first.

Immediately following this was the agreement of the court officials.

Whoever offers advice at this moment, it comes from the bottom of their heart.

Who in this world wants Empress Ma to admit her guilt?
And
After Empress Ma repents, it's uncertain whether she will be able to dissuade His Majesty from anger in the future!
however,
Ignoring the ministers' advice, Yu'er walked to the center of the hall, slowly unfurled the imperial edict, and spoke loudly:
“Previously, the officials reported that Tu Jie, the Palace Attendant Censor of the Censorate, advised the palace to divert private funds to set up shops, which is an act of exploiting merchants.”

"To disrupt the business environment and seize the benefits of the people."

"In the past, this was something I did not understand." (In the past: previously.)
"Therefore, in the early years of the reign of King Li, there were often signs of the harem interfering in politics and exploiting the people. I should take this as a warning and reflect on myself."

"The hexagrams of the Book of Changes are divided into Qian and Kun. Yin should assist Yang, and therefore women should assist men."

"Now that I have confessed my sins, I will no longer be involved in court affairs!"

Upon hearing this imperial edict of self-reproach, the expressions of all the civil and military officials instantly changed, and they cursed Tu Jie's ancestors for eighteen generations in their hearts!

Does it not involve court politics?
Does this mean that in the future, when His Majesty gets angry, the Empress might not care?
Good heavens, is this court even safe anymore? Is the only hope that His Highness the Crown Prince can offer some advice?

Although it may be useful occasionally, everyone in the world knows that the Empress is the scabbard of His Majesty's sharp sword!
Even Liu Bowen showed a look of sorrow on his face at this moment.

Does the Empress no longer care about her five-year promise?
"Your Majesty, please withdraw the imperial decree. This is the crime of the villain Tu Jie. Yesterday, the Secretariat thoroughly investigated all the crimes committed by this scoundrel during his tenure."

"It is not Your Majesty's fault!"

Li Shanchang let out a mournful cry, his appearance displaying utmost loyalty and righteousness!
What should have been a 'sacrifice the pawn to save the king' move that drew the contempt of the court officials was, at this moment, transformed into a decisive action by Li Shanchang for the sake of all civil and military officials, thanks to Empress Ma's 'letter of self-reproach'!
In the Ming Dynasty, besides foreign enemies, Tu Jie was probably the only one who could unite against a common enemy at this moment!

However, after reading Empress Ma's edict of self-reproach, Yu'er didn't even bother to acknowledge Li Shanchang. She directly and respectfully presented the edict to Zhu Xiong Ying, then bowed and took her leave.

Such a decisive action left the courtiers dumbfounded!

This maid is really giving us officials no chance at all! At least she could have shown a little hesitation and then relayed the message to Her Majesty the Empress!
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't say much, but simply placed the imperial edict on the table, then sat back in the main seat and said calmly, "As is customary, the court meeting shall begin."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked on with a sense of unease.

It's quite obvious that His Highness the Crown Prince has already adopted a stance of indifference.

Indeed, who told Tu Jie, that scoundrel, to be in the court and want to impeach the Crown Prince?

He was already being very lenient by not making things worse.

Li Shanchang's eyes darted around slightly, and then he immediately stepped out of the ranks and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I believe that although the Empress's decree of self-reproach has been issued..."

"However,"

“This matter is Tu Jie’s fault. In addition, the Ming Dynasty has just been established, and the Empress is the mother of the nation. The previous matter is a minor one and has no impact. This imperial edict can be kept, but it does not need to be publicly announced to the world.” After these words of advice, everyone was first taken aback, and then their eyes showed more admiration when they looked at Li Shanchang.

The old fox truly lives up to his reputation!
To blame oneself is, frankly speaking, shameful and embarrassing.

Since that's the case, we can just lose face in our own court; there's no need to lose face in the whole world.

In this way, Empress Ma's reputation was not greatly damaged, and even if His Majesty was angry, it would not reach an uncontrollable level.

Hu Weiyong looked at his teacher with utter admiration.

Given that His Majesty will inevitably hold her accountable in the future, by slightly defending the Empress, the blame can be shifted entirely onto Tu Jie when His Majesty holds her accountable. At most, it will be considered "lack of awareness," and he will only receive a few reprimands.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a means of turning the tide!
"allow."

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, but nodded in agreement.

Regardless of Li Shanchang's true intentions, he still outwardly protected his imperial grandmother.

If I insist on rejecting this matter, I will only earn a reputation for being unfilial.

He didn't want to upset his grandmother.

"Continue with the report."

Zhu Xiong Ying tapped the imperial edict lightly with his fingers, then glanced at the assembled officials.

This action made its meaning very clear: stop talking about my imperial grandmother; the matter is over.

As soon as he said this, the censor Han Yike was eager to try.

But then he remembered what his superior, the Imperial Censor Liu Bowen, had said, so he had no choice but to suppress his temper!

"Your Highness, I have important matters to report!"

Li Shanchang saw through Han Yike's thoughts and immediately spoke up. He knew that if he didn't speak up, the matter would be impossible to hide.

"speak."

As Zhu Xiong Ying finished speaking, Li Shan Chang took out a letter from his pocket and presented it above his head with both hands: "Your Highness, a few days ago, during the discussion about transferring Qian Yong Qin, the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, to the position of prefect of Yangzhou Prefecture, things went a little wrong."

"Prefect Qian Yongqin of Songjiang Prefecture is seriously ill, so he sent a messenger to Yingtian with a 'memorial requesting a delay in his journey to Yangzhou Prefecture to assume his post as prefect.' He hopes that Your Highness will grant his request to postpone his journey for a few days."

"Our Great Ming Dynasty has established the Ming Law, which is strict but also has human compassion. When a seriously ill person is rushing to his destination, it is no wonder that officials are tortured or killed. This old minister believes that it should be allowed."

After these words were spoken, the courtiers were utterly bored.

However, the censor Han Yike frowned slightly.

This is too coincidental, right?

On the contrary, on the high platform, a flash of joy crossed Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, which he then concealed deeply!

They've come to my doorstep, Li Shanchang!

"Send it up!"

As Zhu Xiong Ying finished speaking, Yu Hua Tian stepped down from the platform, took the "Memorial Requesting Delay" from Li Shan Chang's hand, and presented it on Zhu Xiong Ying's desk.

Upon opening it, one is astonished to find the seal of the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture! It also bears the date and signature.

We have irrefutable evidence!

(End of this chapter)