The court meeting ended quickly at Chongzhen's instruction.

The others left one after another, except for the cabinet chief Fan Jingwen who stayed.

The king and his minister looked at each other again, neither speaking.

After a long time, Fan Jingwen took the lead and said, "Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak, sir."

"I intend to retire and return home. I hope Your Majesty will grant my permission."

Chongzhen looked at Fan Jingwen and asked, "Why do you want to leave, Lord?"

"Because I am old, I am unable to handle the busy affairs of the cabinet."

This reason may seem far-fetched, but it actually reflects what Fan Jingwen really thinks.

During the period of pacifying Liao, Fan Jingwen had to deal with countless official documents every day.

Official documents from Jiangnan, official documents from Yunnan, official documents from the three borders of Shaanxi and Liaodong.

All the major and minor affairs of the Ming Dynasty had to be handled by him.

When news came from the front line that Wang Yongji had died in battle, Fan Jingwen didn't sleep for several days.

He was afraid that the army to pacify Liao would be defeated and the mission would fail.

Long hours of intensive work had drained his energy.

If he continues like this, he will die of exhaustion.

Chongzhen knew what Fan Jingwen was thinking, so he nodded and said, "You can go back to your hometown to retire, but before you go, you have to do me a favor."

Fan Jingwen was overjoyed and asked quickly, "Your Majesty, just speak up. I will help you even if it costs my life."

"Okay," Chongzhen smiled at first, then put away his smile and said very seriously: "Please help me share some of the infamy."

"Hmm?" Fan Jingwen didn't understand and asked subconsciously, "I am deaf and dumb. Your Majesty, please teach me again."

After Chongzhen repeated it, Fan Jingwen was even more confused.

He asked, "May I ask what kind of insults your majesty is referring to?"

Chongzhen spread his hands and said, "Of course, we will force the currency reform. This kind of decree that plunders the people will definitely bring bad reputation, and I don't want to bear it alone."

Fan Jingwen blinked and thought for a while, then suggested, "Your Majesty, why don't you let Xie Sanbin bear the blame?"

Chongzhen smiled faintly: "Don't worry, Mr. Lord, Xie Sanbin will not be immune to this. He will also bear the infamy, and the infamy he bears is much heavier than yours."

The beard at the corners of Fan Jingwen's mouth trembled uncontrollably, and then he lowered his head and began to think.

In just a few words, the king and his minister expressed their thoughts and goals.

Chongzhen wanted to force the currency reform to be implemented, and he wanted to start implementing it before Fan Jingwen left office.

The outcome has nothing to do with Fan Jingwen.

But it has to start here with Fan Jingwen.

Fan Jingwen retired and returned to his hometown in order to avoid being criticized.

Now the two people's goals conflict.

A compromise is required on one side.

Chongzhen would not compromise.

Then the only one who compromised was Fan Jingwen.

After some thought, Fan Jingwen nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will convene the cabinet today to discuss the compulsory implementation of the currency reform and draft a charter within ten days at the latest."

Chongzhen slapped the table with joy: "Lord Fan is indeed my right-hand man, able to share my worries at critical moments."

Fan Jingwen asked tentatively: "Then...then when can I retire and return home?"

Chongzhen asked: "What day is today?"

"Your Majesty, today is the eighth day of the sixth lunar month."

"Lord Fan is from Wuqiao, Hejian Prefecture, Northern Zhili, right?"

"yes."

"Don't worry, Lord. I will let you return to your hometown in Wuqiao before the New Year."

Fan Jingwen thought about it.

There is still half a year from June to December, which means I have to stay in the capital for about six months.

Although he was somewhat reluctant, he had no choice but to agree.

After Fan Jingwen left, Chongzhen sat on the dragon throne and thought for a long time.

He is planning a big game.

Everyone in the Ming Dynasty was in the chess game, including Chongzhen himself.

In order to avoid any mistakes, he has to be extremely careful and cautious.

When the sun set, Chongzhen slowly opened his eyes.

Wang Chengen took the freshly brewed hot tea, placed it on the dragon desk and said, "Your Majesty, have some tea."

Chongzhen took a sip of hot tea, put down the cup and asked, "Have Zhang Rong and Li Ruo Lian arrived?"

"They are all here, waiting outside the palace."

"Let them in."

"yes."

As Wang Chengen's voice sounded, Dongchang Governor Zhang Rong and Jinyiwei Commander Li Ruolian stepped into the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!" Zhang Rong and Li Ruo Lian bowed at the same time.

"Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

When the two stood up, Chongzhen also stood up.

He walked back and forth beside the dragon desk for a few steps and then stopped, "Zhang Rong."

"The servant is here."

Chongzhen asked: "How is the situation in Shandong?"

Zhang Rong understood that Chongzhen was asking about the affairs of the Yanshenggong Mansion.

After Duke Yansheng was beaten to death, the imperial court found evidence that he had surrendered to the enemy.

to this end.

Students from all over the country flocked to the Yanshenggong Mansion in Qufu, Shandong.

Some people think that Duke Yansheng was framed and intend to seek justice for him.

Some people also think that there is solid evidence that Duke Yansheng treasoned to the enemy and deserved to be put to death.

After they arrived in Qufu, they put pressure on the people in Yanshenggong Mansion and asked them to apologize to the people of the world.

At the same time, they petitioned the court, requesting that the clansmen of Duke Yansheng be punished as well.

Some people went there just to watch the fun.

These three types of people would go to Qufu from time to time and leave during festivals.

This has put a lot of pressure on the local people in Qufu.

In order to make things bigger, Chongzhen asked Zhang Rong to make some arrangements in Qufu.

Zhang Rong bowed to Chongzhen and said, "I am ready and can start at any time."

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