Although some restaurants do not have barbecue signs, they still provide barbecue dishes, which is considered a measure to satisfy all kinds of drinkers.
The barbecue restaurant they visited mainly served barbecue, but also had the usual stir-fries and a dozen or so cold dishes. It wasn't too shabby for a gathering of friends.
The waiter was attentive and considerate. After the order was taken, he served a plate of salted peanuts and a plate of mixed spinach to prevent the customers from waiting bored at the empty table.
The two scholars surnamed Lu chatted and got along well as they drank slowly. However, the discussion of the diners at another table caught their attention.
"The Duke of Cheng's mansion was raided yesterday. I wonder what happened?"
"I heard he was imprisoned. His crime must be serious."
"Hasn't he been granted an iron certificate, hereditary and unwavering, sharing the fate of the country? If it were a minor crime, he wouldn't be punished like this."
When the Ming Dynasty was first established, Zhu Yuanzhang conferred titles on his meritorious officials. Thirty-four people including Li Shanchang and Xu Da were granted titles and were given "Golden Book and Iron Certificate".
After Zhu Di, the Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, ascended the throne after the "Jingnan" campaign, he conferred titles on 26 meritorious officials including Qiu Fu, and also granted them iron certificates.
The so-called "Golden Book and Iron Certificate" is seen by ordinary people as the same as the "Golden Medal of Immunity from Death" in storytelling. As long as it is not a serious crime of treason or rebellion, there will be no problem.
In the Ming Dynasty, the Golden Book and Iron Certificate were divided into seven grades, among which the duke was divided into two grades, the marquis was divided into three grades, and the earl was divided into two grades.
The various iron certificates varied in size, but were always issued in duplicate: one was given to the recipient, the other kept in the inner chamber. When necessary, they could be placed together to verify authenticity.
However, in the early Ming Dynasty, the Golden Book and Iron Certificate not only could not save one from death, but almost all the ministers who possessed it were killed.
Therefore, the "Golden Book and Iron Certificate" of the Ming Dynasty did not allow for the pardon of all crimes. Among them, "treason" was not within the scope of the "Golden Certificate of Immunity from Death".
Furthermore, apart from the "no pardon for treason," those who committed crimes could also be imprisoned and beheaded. For example, Zhang Yanling, Marquis of Jianchang, was first imprisoned for a long time and then beheaded in Xishi.
However, Zhang Yanling, who was granted a title of nobility because of his sister being the empress dowager and his status as a relative of the emperor, could not be compared with Zhu Chunchen's ancestor, Zhu Neng, who was the first to make contributions in the Jingnan Campaign.
But even such a great duke, whose ancestors were so glorious, was imprisoned. One can't help but speculate about the crime he committed.
"Long live—" Lu Xiaobu frowned slightly, but hesitated to speak.
He and Lü Qinghou had only just met, so there were some things he couldn't say. He speculated that this was a sign that the emperor was about to take action against the nobles.
Lu Qinghou also had his own guesses, and he was also a bit hesitant. Just as the waiter brought the dishes, he raised his glass and avoided the topic.
……………………
Palace of Heavenly Purity, Imperial Study.
Emperor Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes slightly and listened to Wang Tigan reading the contents of the "Golden Book and Iron Certificate".
"...I swear to you: except for treason, for all other capital crimes, you will be spared three deaths, and your son will be spared two, in return for your merit. High but not vulnerable, so you can always maintain your nobility; full but not overflowing, so you can always maintain your wealth. You must carefully abide by this promise, and pass it on to your descendants, so that they can serve as loyal ministers to the country for generations to come. Isn't that great?"
This is the content of the "Golden Book and Iron Certificate" bestowed by Emperor Hongwu, which includes five parts: the time of awarding the iron certificate; the official position and title of the recipient of the iron certificate; the merits of the recipient of the iron certificate; the number of times the emperor promised to exempt the person from death; and the words of encouragement to the recipient of the iron certificate.
Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips slightly, revealing a smile that seemed both sarcastic and helpless.
If we talk about ridicule, it is naturally directed at Zhu Baba. He vowed to "reward your merits and keep your wealth and honor forever", but in order to inherit the throne of the Zhu family, he still killed all the meritorious officials.
If there was any helplessness, it was naturally for those meritorious officials who received the iron certificate. If the emperor wanted you to die, the crime was determined by the emperor, and the so-called "three times of exemption from death" was no different from fart.
If you are said to be plotting treason, then you are plotting treason; if you are said to be rebelling, then you are rebelling. The golden book and iron certificate not only cannot "save your life", but instead becomes a death warrant. I wonder whose sorrow this is?
As for Zhu Chunchen's golden book and iron certificate, Zhu Youxiao didn't take it seriously at all.
Moreover, those who hold the Golden Book and Iron Certificate will be exempted from all death sentences, except for treason and high treason. However, after being exempted, their titles and salaries will be revoked, and they will not be allowed to retain their original titles, but their lives will be spared!
What does it mean? It means that his life can be spared, but his title and salary will be stripped as normal, and he will not be allowed to return to his original position.
Thinking of Zhu Chunchen's despicable behavior in history, Zhu Youxiao really wanted to kill this bastard and confiscate all the gold, silver and treasures in the Chengguo Mansion.
But the emperor endured it, thinking that it would be no big deal to keep Zhu Chunchen alive for the time being. After all, the money from the Chengguo Mansion had already been obtained.
Moreover, stripping one's title and exiling him was enough to frighten those cowardly nobles. Zhu Youxiao even speculated maliciously whether some of them would be frightened to death, as happened in history.
Wang Tigan finished reading the contents of the Golden Book and Iron Certificate, handed it to the young eunuch, and said to the emperor with a flattering smile, "Your Majesty, I have once again checked the backgrounds of the palace servants, and there are five people who seem unreliable."
Zhu Youxiao didn't even bother to look at the name, waved his hand, and said, "Send him out of the palace and settle him down!"
"I obey your order." Wang Tigan felt the emperor's trust in him and answered more respectfully.
Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and asked, "Tomorrow's grand court meeting, the palace must make proper arrangements."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will save you the trouble."
Zhu Youxiao saw Li Chengcheng quietly walk in with a few account books in his hand.
This should be the expense account of the Shaoying Academy, right? Zhu Youxiao waved Wang Tigan away and gestured for Li Chengcheng to come closer.
My guess was correct; Li Chengcheng, the housekeeper, had indeed reported the expenses of the Shaoying Academy. But the girl seemed a little absent-minded, her eyes darting around, as if she had something to say that she dared not say.
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