The official's words made Emperor Chongzhen's cheeks twitch a few times. Anger flashed in his eyes, but he didn't let it show. Openly speaking words of destruction in front of Emperor Chongzhen touched a deep sore spot in his heart. Minister Yang snorted coldly and said, "Lin, I know you're a scholar, but what useful things have you done for the country? The country is in a critical situation now. Instead of thinking about the country, you're bent on obstructing those who are loyal to it. What's the point? At this time, don't we need those who are dedicated to the country? Why do we need people like you who claim to be scholars but don't do anything good?"
The vast majority of people in this hall were scholars. Even military officers like Hong Chengchou were scholars. It's impossible to say that no one cared about the scholars. It's just that the situation had reached such a critical juncture that everyone was pursuing their own path. Not only were those on Tian Hongyu's side concerned with their own interests, but the Donglin Party officials were also concerned with their own futures. The Donglin Party felt that their faction controlled the vast majority of the world's scholars, and no matter what dynasty, they couldn't do without them. As for the fate of the imperial court, it wouldn't significantly harm their interests. Therefore, even if Emperor Chongzhen was worried sick, these Qingliu Donglin Party members wouldn't have worried at all. What these Qingliu scholars feared most was the entry of businessmen into politics. This would not only harm the interests of scholars, but also greatly undermine their dignity as scholars.
The argument in the hall intensified, and Emperor Chongzhen's expression grew increasingly grim. At this point, few seemed to notice his expression. The emperor was already in turmoil. And yet, he still cared about him. Few people were in the hall. Wang Chengen stood beside Emperor Chongzhen, observing him. Seeing his increasingly grim expression, he couldn't help but sigh again for his predicament. Hong Chengchou also observed Emperor Chongzhen's expression. Seeing his expression grow increasingly grim, he couldn't help but feel pity for the man who sat high on the throne. At this point, the emperor was powerless. Between Shanhaiguan and the sea, there lay an immensely powerful force, dozens of times more powerful than the once-arrogant Jiannu. His fate seemed sealed.
Hong Chengchou's mind was clear. None of the ministers in the palace needed to worry about their future. At worst, they could just surrender to that person. They would still enjoy wealth and glory. But not Emperor Zhen. Since ancient times, surrender had been a rarity. Once surrendered, not only would wealth and glory be lost, but even their own life and death would no longer be in their own hands. Everyone wanted to be emperor. Being an emperor of a fallen nation was preferable to being an ordinary minister.
The quarrel in the hall seemed endless. More and more ministers joined in the quarrel.
The already furious Chongzhen Emperor suddenly let out a tantrum. His rage turned to sorrow. He watched the scene in the hall like a bystander, but the sorrow in his heart turned to a wave of coldness. He felt as if he had reached the end of his rope.
Hong Chengchou, from afar, could see the sadness in Emperor Chongzhen's eyes. As someone who still held a modicum of loyalty to the emperor, he felt a pang of discontent. Finally, he took a few steps forward, ignoring the arguing ministers, and knelt before the emperor. "Long live the emperor. I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
Seeing Hong Chengchou bowing to him, Emperor Chongzhen felt a little better. He raised his hand and said, "My dear minister, please stand up. If you have anything to say, please tell me."
"Your Majesty, the people of Jiangnan have been cut off from the capital by the rebels. After so long, I'm afraid the people there have calmed down. Your Majesty, I believe you should send a prince to guard the area. Additionally, I believe you should dispatch loyal men to various locations in Jiangnan. Have these men quickly organize an army to support the emperor and open up a passage between the capital and Jiangnan." Hong Chengchou didn't stand up. Although he had intended to express his loyalty to Emperor Chongzhen at this moment, at this moment, he was genuinely concerned for the emperor's best interests.
If a prince could be sent to Jiangnan, then even if the capital was destroyed by the rebels, a new court could be established in Jiangnan, preventing it from being wiped out. As for sending a loyal person to Jiangnan to serve, that was pure nonsense. At this time, there were no loyal people in the country. Otherwise, the Jiangnan region would have sent a large army to rescue the capital long ago. However, after listening to Hong Chengchou's words, Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly. He also felt that Hong Chengchou's words made sense. However, if the capital was surrounded on all sides, how could this prince rule Jiangnan?
Hong Chou had actually considered this point. So when Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly, Hong Chengchou's gaze turned to Tian Hongyu. Normally, as the emperor's father-in-law, Tian Hongyu wasn't eligible to attend the meetings in the main hall. However, this time, as the recommender of the two donors, Hou Fangyu and Ling Li, he was allowed to attend.
Hong Chengchou knew a little about the relationship between Tian Hongyu and Tang Yu. This time, when Tian Hongyu tried to win him over, Hong Chengchou didn't ask for money. He originally wanted to build a friendship with Tian Hongyu and consider his future prospects. But just now, Hong Chengchou had an idea to help Emperor Chongzhen. He hoped that Tian Hongyu could help bring a prince to Jiangnan. Given the relationship between the Tian and Tang families, Chengchou thought it was possible.
The Tian family went out to sea. Those on the sea and in the military would make things difficult for the Tian family. If a prince were to be taken to Jiangnan as a servant of the Tian family, the possibility was very high. However, at this time, Hong Chengchou could not take him out. He looked at Tian Hongyu to see if he was willing. If he was not willing, Hong Chengchou did not want to offend the Tian family by speaking out rashly.
Hong Yu did not initially understand Hong Chengchou's brilliance. At this time, Emperor Chongzhen had already asked Hong Chengchou: "Then, my dear, do you have any way to ensure that my prince arrives safely in Jiangnan?"
"Well..." Hong Chou saw that Tian Hongyu hadn't expressed his opinion. For a moment, he couldn't think of any other good solution. When he looked at Tian Hongyu again, he saw that the old man was lowering his head. Seeing him lower his head, Hong Chengchou couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that even they, the royal family, were standing by and watching at this point. Is the Dashi Dynasty really over?
Tian Hongyu was very selfish. He didn't understand Hong Chengchou's idea. He lowered his head and thought about it. He felt that this would not benefit him. Although he was also very fond of Emperor Chongzhen, Tian Hongyu was absolutely unwilling to suffer any loss when it came to his own interests. Emperor Chongzhen saw Hong Chengchou's shifty eyes. He also followed Hong Chengchou's eyes and looked at Tian Hongyu who was lowering his head. Emperor Chongzhen didn't understand the relationship between them. After sighing slightly in his heart, he said to Hong Chengchou, "Forget it. My dear, since you don't have a good solution for the time being, let's talk about this matter later.
”
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, cannot share your worries." Hong Chengchou lowered his head, unwilling to look at the hopeless face of Emperor Chongzhen. The arguing in the hall died down at Hong Chengchou's interruption. The crowd seemed to finally realize Emperor Chongzhen's presence and resumed their orderly positions.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at his subordinates' sanctimonious faces. He no longer felt anger, only sadness and coldness. He scanned the crowd, finally stopping at Tian Hongyu. "Then, my dear Tian, how do you think I should reward those two? They were recommended. Why don't you share your opinion?"
"Your Majesty, I believe the court is in need of new talent. Granting these two positions and allowing them to bring honor to their families will surely set an example for the people of the world. Then, more people will step forward to serve the court." Tian Hong, faced with the question, couldn't help but speak out. He hated the Qingliu officials who had obstructed this matter. He knew they would have to pay him back one day.
"Then, my dear Minister Tian, what official positions do you think I should give them?" The Chongzhen Emperor's expression was unreadable. Only Wang Chengen, standing beside him, understood. By asking this question, the Chongzhen Emperor had already acceded to Tian Hongyu's opinion. The current Chongzhen Emperor was completely exhausted by the pursuit of money. For the sake of money, he had no choice but to compromise.
"Well... I, this old minister, believe that the Emperor's desire to reward them both is a sign of His Majesty's great favor. Official positions don't matter. As long as they set an example for the people of the world, that's all that matters." Tian Hongyu cunningly threw the question back to the Emperor, hinting that if the official positions were lower, they wouldn't be able to serve as role models.
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