Chongzhen Sunset Song

?one

The ritual of the sutra feast lasted for three months, and did not come to an end until the beginning of June.

"You can really do it." Zhou Xi went to the Qianqing Palace to do business, and stopped by the Xizhao Room to discuss tea. "At that time when I invited you to walk together, you were always lukewarm. I thought you were indifferent to fame and wealth, but you were promoted so quickly." Zhou Xi had a look of incredulity, "Whose way did Brother Dexiu borrow? What is it?" The secret, also tell the brother."

"Hey, there is no one's way, it's pure luck." Xi Zhao poured two cups of light tea from bisque teacups, sat next to him, and chatted with him.

"I heard that you were appointed by the emperor?"

"Well, that's right." Xi Zhao answered casually.

"It's not easy for the emperor to like you. Your luck is really extraordinary." Zhou Xi smacked his lips and said, "Not everyone who knows the prison can get close to the emperor. Who would have thought that as soon as you entered, What I do is Liang Yi's job as Eunuch Liang. Do you know that this Eunuch Liang, although not as powerful as Eunuch Wang and Eunuch Gao, who is inferior to the Supervisor of Ceremonies, is still at this level." Zhou Xi stretched out his thumb, and in the sunset His eyes flickered, "I serve the emperor all day long. The emperor likes him, so no one dares to touch him. It's actually very easy for him to make trouble."

"Eunuch Liang is so powerful?" From Xizhao's point of view, this Eunuch Liang is just a kind old man, easy to talk and easy to get along with.

"Can't tell." Zhou Xi raised his eyebrows, "That's because Eunuch Liang is low-key and easy-going, and doesn't like to get involved in this circle. If he doesn't make any trouble, the people in charge of rituals will be happy to disagree with him. Offenders, each live his own life."

Can be compared with the father-in-law of the chief inspector of ceremonies, unexpectedly, father-in-law Liang has such a status in the palace, Xizhao thought to himself, it seems that this time, he really got a good job with a good future.

"Brother Zhou Xi really knows a lot." Xi Zhao picked up the conversation.

"Following Mr. Li in the Li Supervisor, I can know a lot of things." Zhou Xi chuckled, "For another example, a big event is about to happen recently."

"event?"

"Hehe." Zhou Xi's tone was mysterious, as if he was talking about some important and confidential matter, "The case of Governor Yuan is about to be concluded."

"Oh? What's the conclusion?" Xi Zhao's heart suddenly rose upon hearing the words Governor Yuan.

"It's up to the emperor to decide what it is. But according to Eunuch Li's guess, the final verdict will only happen in the near future."

"How do you know?" Xizhao asked, blinking.

"Last month, the Jin army officially withdrew, you know that?"

"I know."

"The spring lecture is also over, and the emperor is just about to take some time off. I heard from the senior supervisors of ceremonies that Mr. Zhou Yanru, the chief assistant of the cabinet, and Mr. Wen, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, will soon take action."

"The so-called action... is..."

The corner of Zhou Xi's mouth twitched.

"They belonged to the Yuan faction."

"Oh..." Xi Zhao nodded, recalling the skinny man who stuffed money into his hands in the west of the hall.Just a few months ago, the title in the memorial was "Zhou Yanru, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, would like to present it." In a flash, he sat on the top of the hundred officials - the chief assistant of the cabinet. Zhou Yanru is really not that good this time. An ordinary person and so on.And if he, the chief assistant, took the lead in defeating Yuan, how could Governor Yuan still have a way out?

"However, Eunuch Wang Chengen is on Governor Yuan's side. He discussed with Eunuch Li and the others. No matter what, we will save Governor Yuan's life first." Zhou Xi said dryly, picked up the teacup, and took a deep sip , "How to deal with Governor Yuan, the emperor is probably still hesitating, otherwise he would not have locked him up for so long without seeing any movement. Next, we will see which side of them can win the emperor's mind over. The life and death of Governor Yuan, I am afraid It’s here to fight.”

two

It's hard to say what didn't happen, but Zhou Xi was right in one sentence - about Yuan Chonghuan, Chongzhen was indeed very hesitant.

The Jin army has retreated, and the capital is temporarily free of worries, and more and more memorials about Yuan Chonghuan are increasing day by day.Last year, the Jin army marched straight to Beijing, and all kinds of rumors were flying in the sky. In a rage, Chongzhen threw Yuan Chonghuan into prison.Now that half a year has passed, Chongzhen, who has calmed down, has begun to admit that the actions at that time were indeed rushed.Every time he saw Yuan Chonghuan's name in the memorial, whether it belonged to the Yuan faction or the Yuan protection faction, Chongzhen's heart would sway from side to side.If it is said that Yuan Chonghuan colluded with the enemy and rebelled, he always does not believe it deep in his heart.Since he ascended the throne, he has personally promoted him to No. 1 military power in the hands of the Ming Empire, entrusted him with the important task of restoring the Liao Dynasty, money, status, power, and all the requirements he put forward have been met one by one. , defended him instead.Such generous treatment, even if he is ungrateful, shouldn't make him switch to the enemy's camp, right?What's more, what good would it do him to join the enemy's camp? Apart from the emperor's seat, what Yuan Chonghuan could get in the Ming Dynasty was already the ultimate. If he changed to Huang Taiji's side, the fame and fortune he gained would not be much less.So no matter what others say, Chongzhen still has difficulty convincing himself 100% to believe this inexplicable theory of Yuan Chonghuan colluding with the enemy.

but……

Chongzhen sighed, put down the memorial in his hand, rubbed his temples, and found that at some point in the study, candles had been lit.Bursts of sandalwood brushed over his face, gradually relaxing his tense mood.Turning around to look, Zhang Dexiu lowered his eyes and stood quietly aside.Although the distance is only a few steps away, it seems very far away; the face and figure are clearly identifiable, but it seems to be in a different space.It is true that I read it correctly, this feeling is really the same as Liang Yi's.It is the best to have such a person by your side. It is safe and calm. Even the heartbeat and blood flow seem to be much calmer.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

When he came back to his senses, he found that Zhang Dexiu was looking at him.

"Oh, no." Chongzhen withdrew his gaze, "If you are tired from standing, you can go outside and walk around, it's okay."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion. The villain is not tired." Zhang Dexiu said with a smile.

"That's good." Chongzhen turned his head, picked up another memorial and opened it, but saw Yuan Chonghuan again.

Hey, Yuan Chonghuan, Yuan Chonghuan.Although I intend to believe you, but you have done something good.It was agreed to restore the Liao Dynasty for five years, and now two years have passed. Not only has it failed to achieve results, but it has attracted Jin soldiers to the city.You committed suicide by Mao Wenlong privately, provoked the Jin army to invade but failed to stop it, stopped the troops and refused to attack, temporarily dismissed the reinforcements, and at the same time falsely asked to lead the army into the city. This teaches people how to believe in your sincerity.The public opinion in the government and the opposition is like an arrow, and the arrow is aimed at you, which teaches people how to save your life.Now that the Jin army has retreated, and the memorials submitted by the two factions are piled up like a mountain, the matter has come to this point, and I cannot delay it any longer.But with irrefutable facts in front, how to make this decision?Element, tell me, how should I make a decision?

three

"Cabinet Chief Assistant Zhou Yanru seeks an audience."

On a June afternoon, the sun was dazzling.Cicada shouted tirelessly, disturbing people for no reason and feeling irritable.In the south study, Chongzhen rested his head, feeling very tired, and the pretty lady-in-waiting fanned the emperor. The cool breeze passed by, and also relieved a lot of heat from the sunset standing beside her.The eunuch was ordered to lower his head and wait patiently for Chongzhen's order.Chongzhen thought for a while, and said:

"pass."

"It is reported that Zhou Yanru has an audience—!"

After a while, Zhou Yanru walked in with a low body.

"See Your Majesty."

"Excuse me." Chongzhen was still leaning on the case, too lazy to raise his head.

Xizhao looked at Mr. Zhou, and saw that he was wearing a black gauze crown, a red collar shirt, and a sapphire belt around his waist, standing three steps away from the dragon case in a humble posture.

"Your Majesty, I have drawn up a copy of the papers about Yuan Chonghuan's case submitted by Mr. Wen, Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Please read it to Your Majesty."

"Bring it up."

Xizhao stepped forward and took the ticket from Zhou Yanru.The four eyes met inadvertently, and a trace of surprise obviously flashed across Zhou Yanru's eyes, but he quickly retracted his eyes, seemed to smile at Xi Zhao, and lowered his head again.

Xizhao presented the ticket.Chongzhen looked at this thin paper, his brows gradually wrinkled.For about a stick of incense, Chongzhen never looked away, just reading these few lines of text over and over again.There was a moment of silence in the room.

"You..." Chongzhen finally spoke after a while, "You are trying to put him to death."

"Your Majesty has learned from you." Zhou Yanru said, "In Yuan Chonghuan's case, all the crimes are true, the intention of collaborating with the enemy is clearly revealed, and there is evidence of conspiracy with the Jin army. It will leave hidden dangers in the future and endanger the country of Ming Dynasty."

"If you say that, you can just remove the official. Although this time he was weak in fighting against gold, he was a minister with meritorious service after all, so he easily took his life." Chongzhen paused for a moment, shaking his head slightly, "It seems inappropriate to take his life lightly. "

"Your Majesty's words are wrong," Zhou Yanru replied without hesitation, as if he had expected Chongzhen to say this, "cutting officials may solve the temporary troubles, but if you keep your life, it is hard to guarantee that there will be no long-term worries. Besides, this collusion with the enemy It's very important, if you don't punish severely, if you use the guidelines of the court, you may make loyal ministers lament the injustice, and give people who don't agree with you a chance!" Zhou Yanru deliberately emphasized the four words of opportunity, and Chongzhen twitched his brows after hearing this. , and then fell silent.

Zhou Yanru waited for a while, seeing that Chongzhen was still silent, he added another sentence.

"Nowadays there is a lot of discussion in the ruling and opposition parties. Most of them advocate that Yuan Chonghuan should be punished for his crime of colluding with the enemy and traitorous country. Since the decree has been presented to His Majesty, His Majesty should make a decision as soon as possible."

"Well... I see." Chongzhen replied hesitantly, looking thoughtful.

"Then if your Majesty is fine, I will take my leave for the time being."

"Well. You back off."

Zhou Yanru bowed and gave Xi Zhao a meaningful look, then turned and left.

Xi Zhao watched his back disappear outside the door, feeling a little heavy in her heart.Master Zhou's words are indeed reasonable, and it seems that the emperor thinks so too.Could it be that Governor Yuan is really doomed this time... Although Xizhao has heard about Governor Yuan's various crimes, he does not think that Governor Yuan is really collaborating with the enemy.After all, the incident that happened in the Golden Army Camp was full of loopholes, and it was really unbelievable.And if this is really a trick, then obviously, Jin Jun wanted to get rid of Governor Yuan, so how could it be that the two parties were colluding?After thinking about it, Xi Zhao finally felt that this case should not be taken lightly.A person cannot be resurrected after death, and if he kills by mistake once, there will be too much regret afterwards.Now the emperor is upset about this matter, if I tell the emperor what I think, will it be able to relieve the emperor's worries?After thinking about it, Xizhao finally mustered up the courage to take a step forward and said:

"Your Majesty, I have something to say about Governor Yuan."

"Huh?" Chongzhen looked at Xizhao with surprise in his eyes.

"When the Jin army besieged the city last year, the villain was arrested and taken to the Jin army's camp. The villain heard about the conspiracy. But this matter is really strange and cannot be trusted. Please ask the emperor to investigate clearly." Xi Zhao said, thinking Bang bang.I am just a little eunuch, talking about this matter, I don't know if it is considered as exceeding the rules?

"It turns out that you were the one who was arrested and sent to the Jin Army camp." Chongzhen smiled slightly, "I made you suffer."

"Where is there." Xi Zhao was startled, did not expect Chongzhen to say such considerate words, and hurriedly resigned, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, thanks to His Majesty's blessing, I have not suffered much."

"Well, that's good." Chongzhen nodded, and stopped talking, as if he didn't hear the true meaning of Xizhao's words.

Seeing this, Xi Zhao was a little puzzled, so he tentatively said: "The emperor..."

"I know this matter is not credible." Chongzhen took over the words without waiting for Xizhao to continue, "Although this matter is not credible, there are many charges of collaborating with the enemy. public."

"But the emperor..."

Xi Zhao wanted to say something, but was cut off by Chong Zhen's few tepid words.

"I will judge this matter arbitrarily. You are an eunuch and not a supervisor of ceremonies. You should keep your duties and stop talking about political affairs."

If it is overstepped.Xi Zhao's heart tightened, and she was about to open her mouth to apologize, when the messenger eunuch appeared at the door again.

"The supervisor of ceremonies is writing to Wang Chengen to ask for an audience."