"Then tell me about it." Zhu Youxiao sat back and spoke expressionlessly, as if he was already dissatisfied with Zhang Yingdao.
Zhang Yingdao ignored His Majesty's expression and continued, "Ministers of Works Zhao Nanxing, Zou Yuanbiao, and the late Gu Xiancheng co-founded the Donglin Academy and are known as the Three Gentlemen of the Nation. However, in my opinion, these individuals were unhappy in their officialdom at the time, and establishing the Donglin Academy was simply a way to vent their resentment."
"The so-called teaching students and discussing current affairs are merely ways for them to vent their discontent and resentment towards the court. They use this as a means to unite those who share their discontent with the court, forming factions and cultivating their own interests. They collude with each other, recommend each other, and deceive Your Majesty. They are truly utter treacherous ministers in the court!"
These words were even more serious, and even Zhu Youxiao did not expect it.
They are dissatisfied with the court and resentful of the emperor. This is not just a matter of forming a clique for personal gain, it is clearly the rhythm of rebellion.
Zhang Yingdao's words were so harsh, but he didn't expect that he would kill him with just one move.
Zhu Youxiao didn't know whether this was Liu Yijing's intention or Zhang Yingdao wanted to do it himself.
Hearing these life-threatening words, Zhao Nanxing knelt on the ground, touched his head to the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"
Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhao Nanxing, but didn't intend to let him speak. He just said softly, "My dear Zhao, you have to wait for the person to finish speaking. Stand up first, and wait until he finishes speaking before you speak."
Everyone's eyes turned to Zhang Yingdao again, wanting to see what he would say next.
Zhang Yingdao didn't look at Zhao Nanxing, but simply bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. After these people formed a clique, they not only controlled the government but also colluded with border commanders. Among them was Li Ruzhen, the Liaodong General. Besides this framing of Xiong Tingbi, these people also embezzled Liaodong's military pay."
"This was especially true of Zhao Nanxing, the Minister of Works. He embezzled a large amount of money. The military equipment allocated to Liaodong by the Ministry of Works was mostly substandard, and many were defective. Whether it was cannons or muskets, they would basically explode after just a few uses. Border troops didn't even dare to use firearms, opting instead for spears and broadswords."
"Even so, we couldn't afford the supply of spears and swords. At the Ministry of Works' Military Equipment Bureau, countless craftsmen were exploited and their materials were taken away. But Liaodong never reported any of this, because Zhao Nanxing had colluded with the Liaodong border commanders, and most of the money had already been embezzled by them."
Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Yingdao and sighed helplessly. This problem actually could not be blamed on Zhao Nanxing.
This is no longer a problem for Zhao Nanxing or the Ministry of Works, because the entire Ming Dynasty is like this, and it is even regarded as an open rule.
Only those who do not respect these rules will be dealt with, and it only starts and ends with Liaodong?
However, Zhu Youxiao also realized that both Zhang Yingdao in front of him and Liu Yijing behind him were just giving him an excuse. To put it bluntly, they were handing him a knife.
Does the Ministry of Industry have these things?
The answer was simple: yes. As long as he sent someone to investigate, he would definitely be able to find something, and then he could use this excuse to get rid of Zhao Nanxing.
It just depends on whether you want to make the case bigger or smaller.
If they wanted to minimize the problem, they could just take out Zhao Nanxing. The charges had already been thought out; corruption and bribery were acceptable, as was lax discipline.
As for the severity of the crime, it all depends on his own decision in the end. He can do whatever he wants, and even link it with the Donglin Party's case of forming a clique for personal gain, and implicate other people.
Sighing in his heart, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel a little emotional. These old guys really have rich experience.
There is nothing to fault with the way they do things from every angle. It's just like feeding you food, delivering it directly to your mouth. You can eat it however you feel comfortable.
These old guys are really considerate.
"Is there anything else?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Yingdao and asked.
Liu Yijing was ready to kill Zhao Nanxing of the Donglin Party right away, which can be said to be a big move.
After this period of weakening, the Donglin Party didn't seem to have many people left. If Zhao Nanxing fell again, the Donglin Party would probably be completely empty.
However, Zhu Youxiao was still prepared to continue because it was not the time to stop.
"Your Majesty, I have finished speaking." Zhang Yingdao bowed respectfully, then returned to the team of ministers and stood there quietly, as if what he had just done was not done by him.
Zhu Youxiao turned his head and glanced at Zhao Nanxing, then said, "Lord Zhao, you can say whatever you want to say now."
With a sigh of relief, Zhao Nanxing stepped out of the team and said loudly, "I will defend myself."
When impeachment is carried out in front of the person being impeached, it is natural that the person being impeached should be allowed to defend himself. This is also the rule.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
