Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

At the next morning court session, Emperor Chongzhen again mentioned the matter of appointing Zhang Shikang as the Grand Marshal of the Army, and suddenly things became surprisingly smooth.

No one in the court expressed any objection, and the nobles were even ready for a fight. Even Emperor Chongzhen was a little surprised.

However, Zheng Sanjun took the opportunity to propose and recommend the Minister of Works Fang Fengnian to join the cabinet. Emperor Chongzhen knew that even if the court officials no longer objected, they would definitely make up for it in other ways, so he agreed.

After finalizing the matter, his mood suddenly became good, and he even rewarded Liu Yuliang with a python robe as a reward.

In the afternoon, after the formal edict was drafted, he asked Wang Chengen to take him to the cabinet, and the edict was quickly approved by the cabinet.

Such important appointments and dismissals must be announced to the world. Only after passing the hurdle of the cabinet can it be considered truly settled.

After the imperial edict was approved, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly became excited, and of course it was not just because of the imperial edict.

Ever since he talked with Zhang Shikang the night before, that idea seemed to have taken root in Emperor Chongzhen's mind. Although he felt it was ridiculous, he could not get rid of it.

He thought about it for two days and two nights, and finally made up his mind.

So he soon fell ill, with a particularly difficult-to-treat headache.

……

In the capital, the Ministry of Justice prison.

In the cramped prison corridor, there was only faint light coming in from the small windows of the cells.

The air was filled with the stench of feces and urine, and the wailing of prisoners could be heard from time to time.

Most of those who are imprisoned here are serious criminals.

The jailer Sun Buer had just finished his meal. He held a wooden stick in his mouth and used it as a toothpick to pick out meat from between his teeth. He smacked his lips and swallowed it back.

The roast chicken tastes really good, Sun Buer thought to himself.

You have to know that that was what Yang Sichang, the former Minister of War, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and Inspector-General, ate. I have heard that Yang Sichang loves delicious food the most, and now it seems to be true.

But the delicious food finally went into his stomach.

It's ridiculous that Yang Sichang's family members are still grateful for this. They are so ignorant. What's the point of just saying nice things? They didn't even give one or two taels of silver. Bah, they deserve it.

Sun Buer had been the head of the prison in the Ministry of Justice for several years. He had imprisoned many officials, but this was the first time he had met someone as respected as Yang Sichang.

A few months ago, when Yang Sichang was suppressing the bandits, he had seen Yang Sichang from afar once.

At that time, Yang Sichang not only enjoyed the trust of the emperor, but also had outstanding achievements and was deeply loved by the people in the city. Standing in the crowd, he could only show envious eyes, as humble as a minion.

But in the blink of an eye, several months passed, and the now high-ranking Yang Gebu became a prisoner under the stage, with no one caring about him.

After learning that Yang Sichang had been sentenced to death and there was no chance that he would ever be able to turn things around, Sun Buer was extremely happy.

He had no grudge against Yang Sichang, but he was just happy.

After eating the roast chicken sent by Yang Sichang's family, he strolled to the door of Yang Sichang's cell leisurely, just like yesterday.

"Oh, Lord Yang, are you too hungry to bear it? How are you, are you used to the prison food in our Ministry of Justice Prison?"

Sun Buer had a smug look on his face and his eyes were full of mockery.

Yang Sichang sat upright on a pile of straw. Although he had only been in prison for two days and nights, he was now dishevelled and dirty, and was completely different from when he was strategizing in the military camp.

He closed his eyes and turned a deaf ear to Sun Buer's ridicule.

When people leave, the tea gets cold. Now that things have come to this, there is no point in saying more.

Seeing that Yang Sichang ignored him, Sun Buer was not angry. He took out half a piece of hard biscuit from his pocket, handed it to him through the gap in the cell, and said:

"How about this, if you call me Lord Sun, I will give you this cake as a reward."

Yang Sichang had not eaten a single grain of rice for the past two days. Sun Buer knew that Yang Sichang was used to eating delicacies from land and sea, and how could he swallow the prison food, so she thought she was being kind.

If it were usual, Yang Sichang in front of him would not even look at him, after all, he was just a small official of the eighth rank.

But now it is different. Although his official position is low, he is the head of this cell. Without his permission, Yang Sichang cannot even have a sip of water, let alone food.

Yang Sichang still didn't even open his eyes. Sun Buer finally became discouraged. The smile on his face disappeared. He stared at Yang Sichang with some resentment and said:

"I want to see whether you are being stubborn or the prison is being stubborn. Humph, you don't know what's good for you!"

Sun Buer stuffed the cake back into his body again, and still felt unsatisfied, so he continued:

"Are you still hoping that His Majesty will show you mercy and that you can survive?

Stop dreaming, His Majesty has sentenced you to death by slow slicing, and will exterminate your three clans!"

As soon as these words came out, Yang Sichang's eyes suddenly opened. He stood up and stared at Sun Buer coldly. The majesty of commanding troops outside for many years was released, and Sun Buer immediately took a step back in fear.

"What do you want to do? This is the Ministry of Justice prison!"

"Your Majesty, do you really want to exterminate my three clans? If you dare to lie to me, even if I die, someone will punish you." Yang Sichang stared at Sun Buer with sharp eyes.

He could not accept this result. He thought that although he had done some hurtful things since he took command of the army, he had done his best in the war.

Over the years, there has been an endless stream of people coming to him to give him money and expensive gifts, but who dared to accuse him, Yang Sichang, of being corrupt?

Yang Sichang was not satisfied with the extermination of his three clans, but he immediately thought that it must be the Donglin Party who were taking advantage of his misfortune, and he felt sad and painful.

Sun Buer swallowed his saliva, but thinking of Yang Sichang's current condition, he knew that Yang Sichang might be trying to scare him.

He has become a prisoner, and not a single student or old friend has come to visit him in the past two days. What does this indicate?

Yang Sichang has been deserted by his friends and relatives!

Thinking of this, Sun Buer felt relieved, but immediately became timid again.

"Don't scare people here, but it doesn't hurt to tell you so that you can die knowingly.

Originally, His Majesty really wanted to exterminate your three clans, confiscate your property, and sentence you to death by slicing.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen lingchi for quite a few years. What a pity! It's all because of that Guanjun Bo's meddling."

After saying that, Sun Buer still felt it was not enough. After all, the person in front of him was a senior official who was one of the Three Dukes. It was a rare opportunity for him to look down on others. So he continued:

“Although your three clans are saved and you don’t have to be tortured to death, but hey, His Majesty has sentenced you to parade through the streets before beheading.

People all over the city are waiting to see your show!

Tsk tsk, let's see if you can still be so majestic by then!"

Sun Buer said this with great pride. The more painful Yang Sichang was, the happier he was.

He was about to continue attacking when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him, and then Zhang Shikang walked in with several guards.

"No matter how down and out he is, it's not your turn to act so recklessly!"

……