Chapter 156 Are you putting pressure on me?
"Report! Urgent news from Tongzhi County!"
Wang Decai took the urgent report from the guard and quickly entered the Yangxin Palace. "Your Majesty, there is news from Tongzhi County."
"Quick, show me!"
Zhang Chengyan learned early this morning that something happened in Tongzhi County and was extremely anxious.
Tongzhi County is different from other places. It is located in the south of the Yangtze River and is one of the important grain producing areas.
Moreover, he had always been concerned about the flood there, but he never expected that the worst result would happen.
"The county magistrate ran away, the county magistrate died, the chief clerk disappeared, and the granary was robbed?" Zhang Chengyan was furious when he saw this. "So many things happened just after the dam broke. Are all those people dead? Who is the county magistrate of Tongzhi County? Capture him for me!"
Wang Decai immediately ordered someone to investigate.
That evening.
The news came again.
Zhang Chengyan frowned when he saw the contents of the emergency report. "Is this actually related to Xun Mingzhi?"
Before, he only knew Xun Mingzhi and didn't know much about him. Now, because of Concubine Zhao, he took a few more glances at him.
He had thought that since Concubine Zhao had just given birth to her two princes, he would send Xun Mingzhi to other places to improve his political achievements so that he could be promoted smoothly when he returned to Beijing.
I never thought that he would do such a thing.
It's bad enough that they're buying and selling official positions, but the one they're selling is such an incompetent person.
If the newly appointed county magistrate had not run away, the situation in Tongzhi County would not have been so serious!
Wang Decai stood aside, not daring to breathe.
After a long while, Zhang Chengyan finally spoke, "I am tired. I will not go to Zhaochun Palace today."
He needs to think carefully about how to deal with Xun Mingzhi.
He loves Concubine Zhao, and for the sake of the two princes, he does not want to punish her too severely. However, the matter is serious, so let's see how he defends himself at the court tomorrow morning.
If you can convince yourself with reasons, it's not impossible to give yourself a lighter punishment.
The next day it was still dark.
Officials walked into the palace one by one.
Xun Mingzhi was also among them.
Many officials had already learned about what happened in Tongzhi County, and they looked at him with a hint of gloating.
"This Xun Mingzhi relied on the fact that his daughter gave birth to a prince, and his nose was raised to the sky. He even dared to sell official positions. Let's see what he will do today."
"Have you received the news?"
"Got it. Don't worry, I will make sure Xun Mingzhi takes off this official uniform today!"
Xun Mingzhi turned a deaf ear and pretended not to see anything. He followed the crowd obediently and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The ministers stood in line, waiting for the morning court to begin.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
"Long live the emperor."
"My dear ministers, please stand up."
As soon as Zhang Chengyan finished speaking, Zuo Chengxiang spoke up, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"
"Please speak, my dear."
The left prime minister glanced at Xun Mingzhi and said, "There was a flood in Tongzhi County, Yujiang River. As a parent official, the county magistrate fled immediately, disregarding the safety of the people. This is a big mistake! I heard that this county magistrate was recommended by Xun Mingzhi, and he also accepted five thousand taels of silver from him. Please investigate!"
With the left prime minister taking the lead, the rest of the people started to speak.
"Your Majesty, the flood in Tongzhi County, Yujiang, was not actually that serious, but because the officials did nothing, a great chaos occurred. They must be severely punished!"
"Master Xun, do you know that buying and selling official positions is a big mistake? For five thousand taels of silver, you caused so many people to become homeless! Tongzhi County is an important grain producing area in Jiangnan. Just because of your greed, a year's work is now ruined!"
Various attacks came one after another.
Xun Mingzhi's face turned red, but he had no way to refute.
He couldn't refute it either. Xun Zhiyuan, his only son and the only root of the Xun family, was now in the hands of others.
The only thing he can do now is to admit his mistake!
Thinking of this, he knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment and I am willing to be punished!"
This attitude once again aroused the dissatisfaction of the crowd. "Humph, Lord Xun is really quick to admit his mistakes. It's obvious that he is fearless!"
"Do you think the emperor won't punish you just because you have a good daughter? The emperor is very observant and works hard to govern the country. He will definitely not let a greedy villain like you have a good end!"
"What a borer!"
Many ministers spoke one after another, not only exposing Xun Mingzhi's mistakes, but also praising Zhang Chengyan to a high position.
If Zhang Chengyan did not severely punish Xun Mingzhi at this time, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction among the people.
As the emperor, although he is above millions of people, the court does not have his final say and he also has to take the ministers into consideration.
Xun Mingzhi was still kneeling on the ground, not saying a word and not defending himself.
Zhang Chengyan was extremely annoyed. If Xun Mingzhi could refute him, as long as his argument was a little bit reasonable, he could save the person temporarily!
When the voices died down, the Duke of Zhenguo stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a few words to say but I don't know whether I should say them or not."
Zhang Chengyan suppressed his anger and said, "Duke Zhenguo, please speak."
"Your Majesty, Xun Mingzhi has made a serious mistake and his actions are biased. I think Concubine Zhao is influenced by her father and may not be able to take on the important task of educating the prince. The prince is the foundation of the country and is related to the future of the country. The queen should raise him carefully so that he can cultivate the virtues of a wise ruler!"
"Furthermore, the Xun family is now on the rise because of Concubine Zhao, but we must not indulge them to dominate. If the two princes continue to be raised by Concubine Zhao, the Xun family may use this to interfere in politics and disrupt the court. Balancing the forces of all parties is the key to governing the country and maintaining peace. Handing the princes over to the queen can effectively curb the excessive expansion of the Xun family. I hope Your Majesty will think twice!"
As soon as the words fell, someone immediately seconded the motion.
"Your Majesty, I second your proposal. The Empress is a model mother to the nation and has high moral character. It is the best choice for her to raise the prince. It is not appropriate for Concubine Zhao to stay with the prince at this time. I hope Your Majesty will understand this."
Nearly half of the ministers in the court knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhang Chengyan held the dragon throne tightly with his hands, smiling, "Are you guys putting pressure on me?"
The Duke of Zhenguo immediately lowered his head and said, "I dare not. I am devoted to the country and loyal to the emperor. This move is also for the consideration of the emperor and the Darong Kingdom. When the late emperor was alive, he sent the emperor to the queen's lap to be raised, and it was also out of consideration for this."
He is a true veteran minister who not only holds military power, but was also an important minister during the reign of the previous emperor. He made great military achievements when he was young. Even Zhang Chengyan could not speak too harshly to him, otherwise it would easily chill the hearts of the ministers.
Zhang Chengyan was silent for a long time, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, and he slowly spoke, "I will consider what you said. Concubine Zhao has served me for a long time and gave birth to my only two princes without any mistakes. I still need to consider this matter carefully. As for Xun Mingzhi, he made a big mistake, so he should be suspended from his post at home and reflect on his mistakes. Let's adjourn the court."
The Duke of Zhenguo wanted to say more, but Zhang Chengyan had already stood up.
Wang Decai's shrill and long voice rang out, "Withdraw from the court——!"
"Farewell to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
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