In October of the 20th year of Chongzhen, Li Banghua returned to Beijing to report.

When Chongzhen saw Li Banghua, he thought he was dazzled.

Is this still the Minister of War and Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty?

Before leaving Beijing, although Li Banghua was not radiant, he was energetic and in high spirits.

Now what?

Chongzhen felt that the old man in front of him would die at any time.

Li Banghua had a gaunt figure, his hair was pale and sparse, and except for a glimmer of light in the corners of his eyes, he looked like a dead person.

"Lord Li..." Chongzhen quickly stepped forward and grabbed Li Banghua's hands, saying with tears in his eyes, "Time is so cruel. I haven't seen you for just two years, and you have become so thin."

Li Banghua's dry eyes suddenly became moist, and he was about to salute excitedly, "Your Majesty..."

Chongzhen held Li Banghua in his arms and said, "Don't say anything, Lord Li. I know everything."

Li Banghua's excited tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes and fell on the golden bricks in the hall.

Wang Chengen hurriedly brought a stool and helped Li Banghua sit down.

"Your Majesty, I can't see clearly..." Li Banghua said sadly.

"I know, I know everything." Chongzhen had little experience and could only use these words to comfort Li Banghua.

"Oh," Li Banghua sighed and sat on the stool in silence for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Banghua raised his head and said leisurely, "Your Majesty, I have discovered many problems during my trip south this time."

"Please speak, sir."

"First, the gentry defaulted on taxes; second, the princes occupied the people's land; third, the military households were in disarray and the military land was occupied; fourth,..."

Li Banghua sat on the stool and talked for a long time.

In fact, Li Banghua has mentioned these issues in official documents and is repeating them now.

Chongzhen didn't mind being bored, he just sat beside and listened attentively, quietly like a student.

The two chatted from morning until noon.

After lunch, the two continued chatting.

Li Banghua reluctantly stood up after chatting until the evening: "Your Majesty, I have said everything I wanted to say and done everything I could do. But I am old and unable to handle state affairs, so I request to retire and return home."

Chongzhen sighed: "Logically, I should keep you, but I see your situation clearly. If I continue to force you to stay, it will only harm you."

"I am ashamed..." Li Banghua showed an unwilling expression on his face.

He still had a lot of things he wanted to do, but unfortunately his body couldn't take it anymore.

He had no choice but to resign and return home.

"You don't have to feel ashamed, Lord. You have done so much for me and the court at the age of seventy. You have already done your best."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Tomorrow morning, the Lord will serve one more day!"

"I obey your command." Li Banghua bowed and left excitedly.

The next morning court session.

The officials in the Huangji Hall saw an incredible scene.

Outside the palace gate.

A haggard old man slowly walked into the hall supported by a eunuch.

This eunuch was none other than Chongzhen’s personal eunuch, Wang Chengen, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department.

It was no secret that Li Banghua returned to Beijing, but the fact that Wang Chengen helped him in was definitely shocking news.

Under the gaze of all the officials, Wang Chengen helped Li Banghua into the Huangji Hall.

After taking their positions, the ministers kowtowed.

After the ceremony, everyone fell silent.

Chongzhen stood on the steps and glanced at his ministers.

Compared with March of the 17th year of Chongzhen, there were no bad people among the six ministers.

Although there were bad people among the ministers, they hid well and never revealed their true nature.

Even if they were exposed, Chongzhen had no intention of catching them.

There cannot be only one voice in the court.

Wrong and right complement each other.

There must be wrong before there can be right.

After a quick glance, his eyes fell on the cabinet chief, Li Banghua.

He wanted to take as many looks as possible because Li Banghua was about to retire.

Li Banghua, wearing a bright red court robe and a black gauze hat, took a half step forward and bowed, "Your Majesty... I am already seventy years old, I can no longer see or hear, and I am no longer able to continue serving as the Minister of War and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet."

"I request to resign and return home. I hope Your Majesty will grant my approval."

There was a lot of discussion in the court.

After the discussion, Chongzhen expressed his intention to retain him.

Li Banghua declined, but Chongzhen tried to keep him.

Li Banghua declined again.

After completing this face-saving project, Chongzhen sighed and said, "Since your body is really unable to continue to perform the duties, I will grant your request."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Li Banghua bowed again.

Chongzhen then asked: "After Lord Li leaves office, the position of Prime Minister will be vacant. Does Lord Li have anyone to recommend?"

"I recommend Fan Jingwen to serve as the chief minister of the cabinet."

"Then let's do as the elder says!" Chongzhen nodded.

"From today on, Li Banghua will resign from his positions as Minister of War and Prime Minister of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister position will be taken over by Fan Jingwen. In recognition of Li Banghua's achievements, I have decided to confer the title of Guanglu Dafu, Taizi Taibao, and to appoint his grandson as Zhongshu Sheren, and to grant him 10,000 taels of gold."

Guanglu Dafu and Taizi Taibao were both honorary positions. Although they had no real power, they did not have to go to work and could still receive salaries from the court.

To grant his grandson the title of Zhongshu Sheren means to directly grant the official title of Zhongshu Sheren to Li Banghua's grandson in recognition of Li Banghua's achievements.

This behavior is also known as "Yinzi", which is a political privilege and also a way of selecting officials in the Ming Dynasty.

The court was shocked after the decree was issued.

Chongzhen not only gave Li Banghua enough honor and face, but also rewarded him materially.

This shows how important Li Banghua was in Chongzhen's mind.

Li Banghua was so happy that he burst into tears.

After Li Banghua left office, Fan Jingwen became the chief minister of the cabinet.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!