Upon hearing Bi Ziyan's words, a hint of displeasure flashed across Zhu Youjian's face.
"Lord Bi, you've already set your sights on the properties of those criminals before the confiscation of their assets has even been completed?"
Bi Ziyan gave a wry smile.
"Your Majesty, I have no other choice."
"Ever since the three great campaigns of the Wanli Emperor, the Ministry of Revenue has been running a deficit. After thirty consecutive years of deficits, even mountains of gold and silver would be gone."
At this point, Bi Ziyan sighed again.
"If Your Majesty is interested, you may visit the capital."
"Two years ago, Wanggongchang was bombed into a wasteland, and it still hasn't been repaired. Isn't that because the Ministry of Revenue doesn't have the money?"
After hearing this, Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, his dissatisfaction with Bi Ziyan lessening considerably.
He also knew that the minister in front of him had no selfish motives.
However, he still spoke up:
"Let's discuss this matter later. I have many things to do, and they all require a lot of money."
Bi Ziyan hesitated for a moment, then said nothing more and took his leave.
However, after he walked out of the main hall, his expression turned gloomy.
"Does Your Majesty think I haven't heard?"
He turned around and looked towards the southwest side of the main hall.
That is, the direction of Taiye Pond.
"The people from the Ministry of Works have already told me that the emperor has ordered the construction of many new pavilions and towers around Taiye Pond."
"If this wasn't for Master Gao to fix, then what was it for?"
“The construction of gardens by the royal family is very different from that of ordinary people. Even the slightest movement can cost millions of taels of silver.”
"Isn't His Majesty's refusal to give the Donglin Party's assets to my Ministry of Revenue in order to curry favor with Master Gao?"
"Master Gao is indeed extraordinary, but you can't do this!"
Bi Zizhong stomped his feet heavily.
"I still want to rally the officials together and persuade His Majesty!"
With that, he strode out of the palace.
But as soon as he stepped out, he was blocked by someone.
"Lord Bi, what did His Majesty say?"
Many officials from the Ministry of Revenue stood guard at the entrance, their faces full of caution.
Has His Majesty granted permission for the allocation of silver?
Bi Ziyan sneered, "His Majesty did not agree!"
He thought that after he said that, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue would definitely be united in their hatred of the enemy.
But when he said that, none of the officials showed any expression.
“Since His Majesty forbids it, there must be a reason.”
"Let's think of another way ourselves."
Bi Ziyan's face darkened.
How can you be so spineless?
"His Majesty has only refused our request. We should now continue to petition and persuade His Majesty to rescind his order!"
The officials quickly waved their hands.
"Oh, my Minister Bi, please don't say such things. Haven't you seen what happened to the Donglin Party?"
"Yes, yes, they angered His Majesty, and now their entire clan has been wiped out because of that argument!"
"And then there's Wei Zhongxian, and the Prince of Fu..."
"Anyway, let's not upset the emperor. Let's just go with whatever he says."
Upon hearing this, Bi Ziyan finally understood.
It turns out that Zhu Youjian's recent actions have terrified the court officials.
Although the Donglin Party members were secretly promiscuous, they presented themselves as tough and principled on the surface.
Now that Zhu Youjian has crushed this tough nut, how dare the other ministers act recklessly?
Bi Ziyan seemed to want to say something, but after a long silence, he sighed and then shut his mouth.
However, he thought to himself, "It seems that from now on, our Great Ming Dynasty will become a place where His Majesty has absolute power."
"The last time such a scene occurred in the Ming Dynasty was during the reign of Emperor Jiajing."
He shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and led the Ministry of Revenue officials back.
However, on his way back, he saw many people kneeling on both sides.
Bi Ziyan knew their origins with just one glance.
Are these people all scholars from other provinces who have come to the capital? Why are they kneeling here?
An official immediately responded with a report:
“They are all disciples and followers of the Donglin Party. When they heard that their teacher had been arrested, they were bound to come and plead for him.”
Bi Ziyan was slightly moved after hearing this.
"The Donglin Party is involved in Wei Zhongxian's rebellion. Aren't they afraid of being implicated?"
At the same time, he thought to himself, "These scholars have more backbone than the officials of the Ming Dynasty."
The official shook his head and laughed, "Why wouldn't I be afraid?"
"You probably don't know, but when we first came here to plead for mercy, there were over a thousand scholars in total."
"However, once the specific details of the matter came out, most of the scholars fled immediately."
What you are seeing now is only a small part of it.
Bi Ziyan was slightly taken aback, then shook his head as well.
"I see... Never mind."
His gaze swept over the scholars, then he said to the official:
"Summon the leading scholar; I have something to say to him."
Not long after, the official brought over a young man who looked to be in his early twenties.
Bi Ziyan nodded and asked, "Who are you?"
The young man quickly bowed.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, my name is Shi Kefa, and my teacher is Zuo Guangdou."
After hearing this, Bi Ziyan's expression became more serious.
Although the Donglin Party has long since degenerated, Zuo Guangdou was once a notorious tough guy.
As a result, Bi Ziyan began to value Shi Kefa more highly.
"Hmm, no wonder you still dare to stand up for the Donglin Party at this time. You truly are worthy of being your master's disciple."
"But do you realize that what you're doing is completely futile?"
Shi Kefa was completely stunned.
"Why do you say that, Your Excellency?"
Bi Ziyan sighed inwardly.
He didn't really believe that the Donglin Party had the guts to rebel.
Or rather, even if the Donglin Party rebelled, they wouldn't get involved with Wei Zhongxian.
But he now understands that the Donglin officials are almost all corrupt and deserve to die.
In particular, so much of their wealth has already been confiscated by the imperial court.
If the Donglin Party is truly exonerated, can they really return their family property?
Even if Zhu Youjian were willing to agree, Bi Ziyan would not agree.
The Ministry of Revenue is already in dire need of funds.
Therefore, Bi Ziyan advised:
"Now that the year is drawing to a close, there are not many scholars in the capital, and your influence is still too small."
"Even I only found out you were petitioning when I happened to be passing by."
"Then His Majesty would be even less likely to know."
"So what I mean is that I still want you to make a name for yourself in the capital first, and then wait until next summer when scholars from all over the country prepare to come to the capital for the imperial examinations."
"Wouldn't it be better if you took the opportunity to plead for Donglin then?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Kefa was overjoyed.
He bowed to Bi Ziyan and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Minister!"
"The students understand."
After leaving Bi Ziyan's place, Shi Kefa was quite excited.
He rubbed his hands together, his face full of excitement.
"If I can overturn the verdict on the Donglin scholars, then I will not only have lived up to my teacher's expectations, but I will also have made a name for myself in history!"
"We can even use this opportunity to reform the bureaucracy and bring about the revival of our Great Ming!"
After saying that, he went straight back to the inn, intending to make a name for himself.
He looked at the Gao Gong pen in his hand and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
“I’ve recently heard that the Donglin scholars have been framed, and it’s this legendary Master Gao who’s behind it all.”
"In that case, I'll fire at him first!"
With this in mind, Shi Kefa no longer hesitated.
He picked up a calligraphy brush and began to write furiously.
A few days later.
Luo Yangxing, holding a scroll of manuscript, cautiously requested an audience with the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have an article here. Please don't be angry after reading it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com