Why didn't Chongzhen believe the evidence he had produced?

It's not that he doesn't believe it, but he wants to do the opposite.

The court is full of cunning old foxes.

If you reveal your true thoughts at this time, it will arouse the vigilance of those old foxes.

So the correct approach is to play hard to get.

He first stated that he did not believe the evidence, giving people the false impression that he was defending Duke Yansheng.

If the six ministries and nine ministers had not protected Duke Yansheng like he did, Chongzhen could have used the knives of the six ministries and nine ministers to kill people.

If the six ministries and nine ministers also chose to protect Duke Yansheng, Chongzhen would have to make other plans.

In response to Li Ruolian's question, Chongzhen did not explain to him, but summoned him to his side and whispered, "The Pacification Office has two things to do next."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders."

"First, read the official report of the 17th year of Chongzhen. Do not make any comments related to Duke Yansheng recently. Also, strictly investigate anyone in the city who spreads rumors that Duke Yansheng is colluding with the enemy. Say it's a rumor, and once found, immediately lock them up in the prison of Shuntian Prefecture."

Although Li Ruolian was full of doubts, she agreed without hesitation.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards are the emperor's men.

When working for the emperor, don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask.

That's the rule.

"Li Ruolian," Chongzhen paused, "The more people we arrest, the more people will talk about this matter, and the longer this topic will last, right?"

Li Ruo Lian thought about it and nodded, "Your Majesty is right."

Once the news of Duke Yansheng collaborating with the enemy gets out, it will definitely become the number one topic in the capital.

From kings and nobles to peddlers, everyone talks about this.

After all, the nature of this matter is too bad.

The more the government and the court prevent the people from discussing it, the more the people want to discuss it.

Because this is the public opinion, the unstoppable public opinion.

Just like a spring, the harder you press down, the greater the force of the rebound.

Chongzhen's goal was to make this matter as big as possible.

Therefore, he had to use tough measures to suppress the spread of the topic and create a backlash force as soon as possible.

"Next is the second thing," Chongzhen narrowed his eyes.

Li Ruolian knew that Chongzhen was going to kill someone.

It was his habit to squint before killing someone.

Chongzhen said slowly, "When enough people are arrested, the prison in Shuntian Prefecture will be full, and the strict investigation of the spread of rumors that Duke Yansheng was collaborating with the enemy will have to be stopped temporarily. If nothing unexpected happens, this topic will soon sweep the capital."

"By then there will be two groups of people, one supporting Duke Yansheng and the other opposing him!"

"Next, we need to unite the families of those arrested and have them sign a petition to the government to release them."

"Shuntian Prefecture will definitely not dare to make the decision, because these people were arrested by the Pacification Office and are only temporarily placed in the Shuntian Prefecture's prison. They have no right to deal with them. So they will ask the Pacification Office for its opinion. You have to ignore it and let the situation deteriorate."

"I obey your command." Li Ruolian saluted and turned to leave.

Soon Chongzhen was the only one left in the hall.

By this time, the sky had completely darkened.

He had no plans to eat dinner, nor did he have any intention of going to the harem to play.

Instead, he stayed alone in the Qianqing Palace to think about whether there were any loopholes in the plan to overthrow Confucius.

Yes.

Not only does he want to kill Duke Yansheng, he also wants to complete the great cause of overthrowing Confucius!

Of course.

The overthrow of Confucius here does not mean the overthrow of Confucianism represented by Confucius.

It’s not that Chongzhen didn’t want to abolish Confucianism, but that he couldn’t.

Ever since Emperor Wu of Han abolished all schools of thought and promoted Confucianism alone, Confucianism has become the mainstream ideology.

After more than a thousand years of development.

By the Ming Dynasty, Confucianism had already left a solid mark in the minds of scholars throughout the world.

If Chongzhen really wanted to abolish Confucianism, I am afraid that all students in the world would become his enemies.

Not to mention pacifying Liaodong, even the capital might be lost.

so...

What he wanted to bring down was the Kong interest group headed by Duke Yansheng.

People have deified Confucius and Confucianism, which is why they hold Confucius' descendants in high esteem.

When the high-ranking Duke Yansheng fell with a curse on his face, the Confucian thought represented by Confucius would also be tainted.

People saw with their own eyes that the high and mighty gods (referring to Confucianism) could also be tainted with filth like ordinary people.

Then they will no longer regard it as a god, but as an ordinary person.

The status of Confucianism will be shaken, leading to a chain reaction.

This is exactly what Chongzhen wanted.

After thinking for a long time and making sure there were no mistakes, Chongzhen left the Qianqing Palace and went to the harem to relieve pressure.

The next day.

The entire capital was still filled with joy over the recovery of Shenyang.

I had no idea that Duke Yansheng was collaborating with the enemy.

Li Ruolian, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, sent people to the streets to inquire and then told Chongzhen the news.

Seeing Chongzhen closed his eyes and said nothing, Li Ruolian asked: "Your Majesty, the officials of the six ministries and nine ministers have not spread this news at all, and the people of the capital know nothing about it. Should we take the initiative to spread this news and disrupt the situation in the capital?"

"No hurry!" Chongzhen laughed and said, "Give the officials in the capital some time."

The reason why Chongzhen was so calm was that he knew the officials very well.

Most officials, including those in the cabinet, favor Kong Yinzhi.

It’s not that they are unpatriotic, but they cannot accept the fact that Kong Yinzhi has surrendered to the enemy.

Even more, they could not accept the fate of Duke Yansheng who was about to fall from the altar.

But there are some exceptions.

Huang Zongxi is a representative.

He is a man who hates evil.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!