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

Chapter 91 The Imperial Court is Full of Treachery, and People Are Getting Dragged In!
"Please, Your Highness, punish me!"

When Li Shanchang said these words, all the officials in the court were stunned!
Judging solely from Li Shanchang's sorrowful expression and self-reproachful tone, one would certainly believe that this Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty truly cared deeply for the country and its people.

But
In the imperial court, who among them isn't a seasoned veteran who has weathered many storms? How could they not see through Prime Minister Li's true intentions at this moment?

It's nothing more than the strategy of seizing the initiative.

If His Highness the Crown Prince is to be punished, what kind of punishment could he possibly receive?

Penalty?

Li Shanchang was not afraid of a few taels of silver!
"Your Highness, the matter of Qian Yongqin is not solely Li Xiang's fault; it is truly due to the lax supervision of our Secretariat!"

"The matter of blank seals is the responsibility of all six ministries."

"We beg Your Highness to punish us!"

At that moment, Hu Weiyong also stepped forward and spoke loudly.

As a result, the sleeve of his right robe trembled slightly.

This single action is the signal!
“Your Highness, Lord Hu is right! The Qian Yongqin matter was a blank seal, and the Secretariat and the Six Ministries bear responsibility for lax supervision. However, Songjiang Prefecture is a local prefecture, so it is understandable that Yingtian Prefecture could not have foreseen this!”

"Your Highness, this old minister believes that Prime Minister Li and the Secretariat are not responsible. The Ministry of Personnel was not strict in its personnel selection, the Ministry of Revenue failed to find any clues in the previous years' account books, and the Censorate did not report the matter based on hearsay. All of these are responsible!"

"Please, Your Highness, do not be so harsh!"

"."

A chorus of voices echoed in agreement.

At this moment, a cacophony of sounds erupted within the Fengtian Hall.

The officials of the Six Ministries and the censors of the Censorate felt completely numb!

These guys from the Secretariat are so unreasonable! It was clearly the Secretariat that caused this trouble, but now they're trying to pin it on the Six Ministries and the Censorate. They're clearly determined to share the blame!
Han Yi was trembling with anger, genuinely wanting to stand up and debate with the group of scholars.

but,

But then a wrinkled old hand pulled up his sleeve, and he turned to see Liu Bowen shaking his head at him.

"This is Li Shanchang's plan."

Liu Bowen only mouthed the words, but did not utter a sound.

Han Yike was slightly taken aback and looked at Li Shanchang.

The prime minister remained expressionless; though he looked ashamed, he showed no sign of weeping.

In an instant, he understood the old fox's intention!

He retreated in order to advance, first pleading guilty, and then dragging the Six Ministries and the Censorate into the mess!
The saying "the law does not punish the masses" was not very effective in the Ming Dynasty law, but it was still useful in the imperial court for certain "minor matters".

If the Six Ministries and the Censorate are all implicated, how could His Highness the Crown Prince, who is merely the Regent, possibly punish them all? Do they really want to paralyze the Ming Dynasty's administration?
If Li Shanchang showed even a hint of weakness, he would readily back down, accept a minor punishment, and the matter would be over!

Even if Emperor Hongwu and His Highness the Crown Prince were to tour the country, they could not directly overturn the Crown Prince's decision in the presence of the prime minister. Otherwise, how could the Crown Prince inherit the position of heir apparent, and where would his authority be?

"Old fox!"

Han Yi gritted her teeth, truly feeling extremely unhappy!

Especially when it comes to the Censorate, the truth is that "reporting things on hearsay" means reporting things based on rumors, not just thinking about things at home and being able to figure out everything that happens in various parts of the Ming Dynasty!

"Especially Marquis Liu Bowen and Minister of Revenue Yang Siyi!"

Just then, a shout rang out.

Seeing that the voices of agreement had subsided, Hu Weiyong immediately turned his attention to Liu Bowen and Yang Siyi.

"Your Highness, since it's a blank seal, besides the memorials, the Secretariat has also discovered that Songjiang Prefecture used the blank seal method for tax payments." "The Ministry of Revenue's oversight is the root cause of Qian Yongqin's audacity!"

"Moreover, the Censorate has a duty to report matters based on rumors. Liu Bowen, as the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Ming Dynasty, was completely unaware of this matter for half a day, which led to such a disgraceful incident for the nation!"

"In my opinion, these two should be severely punished!"

Hu Weiyong's move was undeniably cunning!
While Li Shanchang was still apologizing, he directly dragged two court officials into the mess.

One of them is Yang Siyi, the Minister of Revenue who is currently in charge of important matters related to the Ming Dynasty's financial resources, such as increasing post stations and paving roads.

In this way, it's as if they've forcibly pulled two human shields in front of Li Shanchang!
The meaning is quite clear: Your Highness, if you really don't understand and want to punish my master Li Shanchang, please punish these two people first!

Even Fu Youde, who was not very knowledgeable about civil and political affairs, felt at this moment that Hu Weiyong was really too despicable!

"Lan Yu, I'm going to throw manure at the entrance of Hu Weiyong's mansion tonight, are you coming?"

Fu Youde asked in a low voice.

Lan Yu's lips twitched slightly, her eyes fixed straight ahead, and she simply nodded slowly.

I'll keep watch while Lao Fu throws the excrement! Anyway, I don't have to do this dirty thing myself, and I can at least watch, isn't that great?

"Humph!"

A cold snort rang out, and Xu Da didn't even step forward. He simply said indifferently, "If you're going to apologize, then apologize. But to implicate others while apologizing—is that the proper attitude for apologizing?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong's face instantly turned red!

Xu Da's words were clearly meant to expose their thoughts and make them feel ashamed!
However, given Xu Da's status, Hu Weiyong dared not argue openly, but instead feigned respect and said:
"Your humble servant was merely stating the facts! Does the Right Chancellor perhaps believe that this matter is entirely the responsibility of our Secretariat?"

This statement clearly demonstrates a deep understanding of Li Shanchang's teachings.

Not to mention the phrase "the Secretariat bears full responsibility," which instantly made Xu Da, the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat, a common enemy of the Secretariat.

The title of "Right Chancellor" was a reminder to Xu Da that he was also a member of the Secretariat.

With a meticulous mind, quick wit, and ruthless cunning, that was Hu Weiyong.

He might have a higher official position, but he wouldn't be intimidated!
"Speak your mother's bullshit! Brother Xu is a military officer. Why should your trivial matters as civil officials involve military officers?"

"So, according to that logic, Hu Weiyong, when you come to the military camp tomorrow, I'll give you a good beating!"

Fu Youde was furious and started cursing!
You civil officials can talk nonsense, but when it comes to military officers, Fu Youde won't be so polite.

On the high platform, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the chaotic scene and a cold smile appeared on his lips!

Li Shanchang, Li Shanchang, you really can't hold your temper!

If I'm even slightly afraid of you, I'll just reverse my name!

"you"

Hu Weiyong's face was extremely ugly, but he couldn't bring himself to lash out at Fu Youde.

The reason is simple: if he curses, Fu Youde will definitely curse back even more rudely.

Even civil officials choose their targets when they scold someone!

"Your Highness, I am guilty! Please punish me!"

Just then, a figure slowly walked to the center of the Qilin Hall, one step behind Li Shanchang, and spoke loudly.

The person speaking was none other than [the speaker].
Imperial Censor Liu Bowen!

(End of this chapter)