Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 77: Wanli Reappears Without Paying Homage to the Emperor (Part 2)

What's something that makes money quickly and easily these days?
Zhu Jue was pondering this problem while reviewing memorials, seemingly somewhat distracted.

He would often subconsciously hand the memorials to Liu Ruoyu without saying a word, which made Liu Ruoyu have to ask him whether it was approved or not.

There are many ways to make money these days, but things like glass, mirrors, and even boilers that bring in quick and substantial profits are hard to find.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have considered this issue as well. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty followed the example of the previous dynasty and monopolized salt, iron and tea, which seemed to be quick and profitable commodities.

In fact, all of these are competing with the people for profit. Salt is something everyone needs to eat, ironware including iron pots, shovels, hoes, etc. is something most people use, and tea is something many people drink.

If these things are to generate more profit, their prices must be raised. Price increases in basic necessities are a disaster for ordinary people, and for a dynasty, this is a losing proposition.

Take salt as an example. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, it cost only ten or so coins per catty, but now it has risen to several hundred coins per catty. Moreover, the profits have been squeezed out by unscrupulous merchants, salt officials, and powerful families who control salt permits. The Ming court often cannot even collect salt taxes.

Such things, which are easily exploited and cause widespread resentment among the common people, are not what an emperor should do. He should be thinking about making money from the wealthy, not competing with the people for profit.

So, what else can you make money quickly and easily?

As he was pondering this, Fang Zhenghua suddenly strode in, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou request an audience."

No wonder I didn't see their memorials today; they actually wanted to speak frankly and remonstrate with me!

The Donglin Party couldn't stand being provoked for long. They got so angry that they dared to curse even the emperor to his face!

Those traitors and collaborators in the outer court have probably aroused these two, for they have actually come to request an audience.

If he doesn't listen to these two guys' advice, they'll definitely start cursing at him to his face!
Will he still be able to tolerate it then?

If he cannot tolerate it, the conflict will escalate, the court will be in chaos, and those traitors who collude with the enemy and betray the country will be able to take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble.

He can't possibly be involved in such an evil affair.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue thought for a moment and then asked, "Who let them in?"

Nobody let them in.

Fang Zhenghua quickly explained, "Your Majesty, they entered the Imperial City under the pretext of going to the Cabinet to find someone, but instead of going to the Cabinet office, they came straight here. The Imperial Guards have already blocked them at the east end of the Jade Belt Bridge, and they are shouting there that they want to see you."

What are you talking about?

not see!

Emperor Wanli could go decades without seeing the emperor, so why should I see you two flies?

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then instructed, "Cheng'en, go and order someone to drag them out of the imperial city and dump them on West Chang'an Street. Also, pass down the order to have the Imperial Guards strictly guard the gates and not let these two guys enter the imperial city again."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengen hurried off to make the arrangements.

Zhu Jue thought that if he didn't let those two guys into the capital, they wouldn't bother him anymore.

Before he could even finish reviewing the memorials, Fang Zhenghua strode in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou request an audience."

These two flies are so annoying.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue frowned and asked, "Didn't I say that they weren't allowed into the capital? How did they get in?"

Fang Zhenghua quickly explained, "Your Majesty, they didn't enter the imperial city. They knelt outside the Xi'an Gate requesting an audience. They even said that if Your Majesty doesn't see them, they won't get up."

Han Kuang and Feng Quan, what a mess you've made!

These two traitors must have been constantly provoking and inciting Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou, which finally got them into a dangerous situation and made them ready to fight to the death.

He couldn't let Wei Zhongxian throw the two men into prison and kill them; if he did, he would fall into Wei Zhongxian's trap.

Besides, hotheads like Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou aren't afraid of death.

These two guys probably wanted to use their deaths to stir up the fighting spirit of the hotheaded young men in the court.

At that time, those self-righteous hotheads in the court will definitely keep fighting him to the death.

He wasn't afraid of those hot-headed young men from the Qingliu faction risking their lives; the key issue was that such actions would throw the court into chaos.

Also, what if those hotheads go to the construction sites in the East and Southeast districts to cause trouble if they can't see him?
Did he order Wei Zhongxian to throw all those hotheads into prison?
Doing so would also fall into the trap set by Han Kuang and Feng Quan, two traitors who wanted to cause chaos within the Ming Dynasty.

The only solution now is to find a way to get Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou to leave the capital.

The problem is, whether they are dismissed from their posts, stripped of their official status, sent back to their hometowns, or transferred to local positions, all of these require cabinet approval. At that point, the cabinet will certainly find various excuses to reject the imperial edict.

Even if he had Wei Zhongxian force the cabinet to approve the imperial edict, Han Kuang and Feng Quan would probably have sent someone to tell Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou that the cabinet disagreed with the edict and that Wei Zhongxian had forced the cabinet to approve it.

This approach will likely provoke Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou to act even more recklessly.

What should I do?

Han Kuang and Feng Quan, are you trying to cause me trouble?
I told you you'd brought this trouble on yourselves!

Zhu Jue frowned and pondered for a while, and finally came up with an idea.

Governors-general and provincial governors were appointed directly by the emperor on behalf of the emperor, without going through the cabinet.

He said quite decisively, "Ruoyu, draft two imperial edicts, appointing Huang Daozhou as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate to govern Shanxi, and Liu Zongzhou as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate to govern Henan. Let them inspect the disaster situation in the two provinces and find ways to provide relief to the disaster victims."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruoyu immediately picked up his pen and began to write.

This doesn't seem safe enough; if these two are willing to risk their lives, they probably won't even accept an imperial edict.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then beckoned Fang Zhenghua over and whispered instructions in his ear.

Before long, Liu Ruoyu had finished writing the two imperial edicts, and Wang Chengen had affixed the imperial seal.

Seeing this, Zhu Jue picked up the imperial edict and handed it to Fang Zhenghua, solemnly saying, "Send them the seal, robes, and other items. Bring more people and make it a grand affair so that the common people in the surrounding area can come and watch the excitement."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhenghua quickly accepted the imperial edict with both hands, bowed, and left.

Not long after, he arrived at the Xi'an Gate with two teams of eunuchs carrying the imperial edict, seal, robes, and other items.

By this time, the area outside Xi'an Gate was already packed with people.

Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou deliberately knelt in the middle of the road, blocking it and preventing carriages from entering the imperial city. Add to that the crowds of onlookers, and the number of people was countless.

Seeing this, Fang Zhenghua stopped arguing and directly picked up the imperial edict and began to read it aloud.

Sure enough, after he finished reading, Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou remained lying there without moving, showing no intention of accepting the imperial decree.

Upon seeing this, Fang Zhenghua immediately mocked, "Lord Liu and Lord Huang, you keep talking about serving the country and the people. His Majesty ordered you to inspect the disaster situation and find ways to provide relief to the victims. Why don't you go?"
Is this what you call serving the country and its people?
They shout slogans all the time, but do absolutely nothing of substance; all they do is talk!

Upon hearing this, Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou finally reacted, both of them trembling with excitement.

Sure enough, these two guys couldn't stand being provoked.

Upon seeing this, Fang Zhenghua suddenly sighed and said, "What a pity, I am not fit to be a governor."

I dare not say that I am doing this for the country and its people, but if Your Majesty asks me to inspect the disaster situation and provide relief to the victims, I will definitely go.

Disaster victims are human beings too. Can you bear to watch them starve to death? Is this your way of serving the country and its people?
"Say something! In your eyes, aren't disaster victims human beings? Is your 'serving the country and the people' just for the powerful and wealthy, not for ordinary people?"

He deliberately shouted that last sentence so that the ordinary people watching the spectacle could hear it.

Upon hearing this, the local civilians protested.

They had also heard that these two were good officials who served the country and the people. However, in their eyes, ordinary people like them did not count as the people; only the powerful and wealthy were considered the people.

Is this what you call serving the country and the people?
You son of a bitch, all you do is shout slogans and fool us ordinary folks, huh?

Dog officer!

Some people couldn't help but start swearing.

At this point, Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou could no longer hold on.

They could only helplessly raise their hands above their heads and shout, "Your humble servants receive the decree, long live the Emperor!"

Is this all you've got? You dare to cause trouble for His Majesty?
His Majesty has foreseen everything; you just can't handle being provoked!

You're not even worthy to carry His Majesty's shoes, get out of here!

Seeing this, Fang Zhenghua calmly placed the imperial edict and the plate in the hands of the two men, and then waved for two rows of eunuchs to come forward one by one with basins and place the items into the plates.

(End of this chapter)