Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 16: Li Zicheng's Fate Undergoes a Slight Change

Just as Zhu Youjian was about to directly reject the proposal.

Suddenly, another official stepped forward.

This man was Chen Xinjia, the prefect of Dingzhou in Beizhili.

Chen Xinjia turned directly to the Ministry of War official who had suggested abolishing the post stations and roared angrily, "That's utter nonsense!"

"I only have one question for you: if we really do follow your suggestion to lay off more than half of the post station workers, then what will happen to these laid-off post station workers?"

"If the arrangements are not handled properly, and a mutiny is instigated, what will happen then? Have you considered these questions?!"

Upon hearing someone in the imperial court refute him without any mercy, the Ministry of War official's face turned red and white, and he was immediately accused of wrongdoing.

"Does Lord Chen mean that our Great Ming Dynasty can no longer even properly resettle the post station workers?!"

Chen Xinjia also retorted in a sarcastic tone:
"Hmph! Your Excellency is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War (a seventh-rank official, but with low rank but great power), so naturally you can settle things properly with just a few words."

"Who would truly understand the hardships of those lowly post station workers?!"

"you!"

Just as the two were about to argue, Zhu Youjian spoke up:

"This matter is not permitted and shall not be discussed further."

Upon hearing the Emperor speak, Chen Xinjia and the Ministry of War official exchanged a glare before retreating back into their ranks.

After returning to the queue, Chen Xinjia was also pondering to himself.

His rebuttal just now seemed to have just met the superior's expectations.

That's precisely why he stood up and spoke out.

Chen Xinjia's main problem is his ambition to build a successful career.

However, he was unwilling to align himself with the eunuch faction or to collude with the Donglin Party.

This also resulted in him being only a minor prefect of Dingzhou even in middle age.

The position of prefect is neither a big nor a small one, but in reality it is just a county magistrate. A county magistrate is nothing in the capital city full of nobles.
He also keenly sensed from the new emperor's actions in the past few days that the emperor intended to govern the country diligently.

Chen Xinjia considered himself an official who, while making a little money, also got things done and had some grassroots experience.

If my suggestions align with the Emperor's wishes, I might be able to rise rapidly in rank after accomplishing a few impressive feats!
He may not want to form a party, but that's all he wants.

But if he could become a member of the royal faction, Chen Xinjia would jump out and charge forward with all his might.

Unfortunately, His Majesty's will was unpredictable, and he could not discern from His Majesty's expression whether his words were in accordance with His Majesty's wishes.

But judging from the results, it seems that it conformed to the trend?
Never mind, as long as I perform well in the future, I will eventually attract His Majesty's attention.

at the same time.

Zhu Youjian's words "No" caused unrest not only among those in the imperial court.

Lian Yuan was a low-ranking postman at Yinchuan Post Station in Mizhi County, Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province.

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, they all felt an inexplicable sensation emanating from their bodies, as if it were an unspeakable divine will in the vastness of the universe.

The courier's name was Li Zicheng.

At this moment, he was unaware that his fate was about to undergo a dramatic change in the near future.

After the discussion on whether to close down the post stations concluded.

A brief silence fell over the court.

It was also at this time.

Wei Zhongxian, who had always served the emperor, knew that the time had come.

He glanced furtively at an imperial censor whose incriminating information he held in his hands.

At Wei Zhongxian's signal, the censor also stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I am an Imperial Censor of the Censorate. I have secretly discovered that Tian Ergeng, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is corrupt and lawless. I request to present this to Your Majesty!"

As soon as these words came out.

The previously quiet court fell silent instantly, and the Grand Secretaries gave the censor a deep look. Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, agreeing to the censor's request to continue.

"The Great Ming Code states: Officials who are corrupt and pervert the law are not pardoned, yet Tian Ergeng, the current commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is insatiably greedy!"

"Whenever the Embroidered Uniform Guard was in charge of confiscating property, Tian Ergeng would take the opportunity to line his own pockets and embezzle public funds. Now that the national treasury is empty, Tian Ergeng deserves the most severe punishment!"

"Furthermore, Tian Ergeng has neglected his duties, and the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard has been corrupted by him. The whole Embroidered Uniform Guard has become corrupted because of him, which is an act that endangers the country!"

"This man is a wolf in sheep's clothing, with the heart of a serpent. His vile deeds are well-known, and he is universally condemned. He deserves to be executed!"

"I humbly beg Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly. I am willing to risk my life to ensure the truthfulness of this memorial. If there is not a single falsehood, I am willing to accept the axe!"

As the censor finished speaking, the vast court fell into an eerie silence.

Unlike the usual back-and-forth insults, this time it's a desperate plea!

The act of remonstrating to the death means that someone on the impeaching or the impeached side will die.

Simultaneously.

The officials also began to ponder this in secret.

Some people were surprised: This censor is Wei Zhongxian's man, and Tian Ergeng is also one of the eunuch faction, so why are they suddenly fighting each other?
There was no way around it; the Ming Dynasty court was now rife with factions.

Besides the Donglin Party and the eunuch party, which were the most powerful and fiercely contested, there were also the Jin Party, Qi Party, Chu Party, and Zhe Party.
There are countless political parties.

Therefore, some officials who are not well-informed may not be able to see the situation clearly from this complex partisan struggle.

Some people are panicking: the emperor has launched a thunderous offensive against the Embroidered Uniform Guard less than a month after ascending the throne. What if the emperor really takes this opportunity to control the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Does that mean the risks of making money in the future have increased?
Others were excited: Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

It's been a long time since we've seen such a desperate remonstrance in the imperial court, especially from a high-ranking and powerful commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Tian Ergeng, the person being impeached, hurriedly knelt down on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have never committed any corrupt acts. I beg Your Majesty to investigate and restore my innocence!"

A group of officials also took this opportunity to stand up and plead for Tian Ergeng.

For example, since Lord Tian is an upright person and I have never heard of him engaging in any corrupt behavior, it must be a false accusation.

We must quickly arrest that censor and throw him in jail to find out who was behind him instructing him to say those things.

Furthermore, Lord Tian was wholeheartedly devoted to the country, often working overtime until late at night despite the hardships.

He is known for his diligence among officials; how could such a person neglect his duties?

In short, Lord Tian has been wronged!
the most important is.

So many of us have stood up to plead for him, Your Majesty, you must give us some face, right?

Zhu Youjian, seated high on the dragon throne, seemed oblivious to these people, raising his hand expressionlessly:
"Wei Zhongxian, take Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to the Eastern Depot for trial."

"In addition, all members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, from the deputy commander to the centurion, were also taken into custody to facilitate the investigation of this matter."

Then he pointed to Xiao Hongzi, who had performed the best among the internal staff in recent days: "Xiao Hongzi, you are responsible for assisting in the trial and supervising this case."

"This servant obeys the decree!"

Zhu Youjian finished speaking.

Cao Huachun, who was serving nearby, twitched his eyebrows wildly, his heart filled with indescribable shock.

So this is what His Majesty meant by eliminating all obstacles?!

Simultaneously.

Located at the very front of the line.

The hands of the four Grand Secretaries, hidden in their sleeves, trembled slightly.

　Chen Xinji was the official who advised Emperor Chongzhen that if they couldn't defeat the Jurchens, they should negotiate peace first, and was subsequently betrayed by Chongzhen.

　　P.S.: Brothers with monthly passes, please help by casting yours!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)