Hearing the coughs of the court officials, Zhu Youjian found it amusing.
"It seems that my deliberate decision to keep them longer in the rain a few days ago has really worked."
It turned out that many ministers had fallen ill after being drenched by the heavy rain that day.
After several days of development, it has reached a critical point.
They were able to drag their ailing bodies to attend the morning assembly, having already exhausted all their strength.
Naturally, he had no energy left to deal with Gao Qingyun.
"Could it be that Master Gao told me about the weather on purpose?"
"He had anticipated that his existence would be leaked and attract attacks."
"So you prepared this on purpose?"
If it were anyone else, Zhu Youjian would never have thought that way.
After all, if one's calculations are this profound, then one is practically a genius.
But when it came to Gao Qingyun, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but think it was possible.
"Master Gao is unpredictable; this was probably all planned in advance!"
"Master Gao is truly amazing!"
Zhu Youjian was overjoyed and abandoned his murderous intent.
After all, if we were to take action against the Donglin Party now, the imperial court would be completely wiped out.
Even the wealth of the Donglin Party would be mostly lost.
Zhu Youjian had long considered this silver to belong to the Ming Dynasty.
Unless absolutely necessary, even losing a single coin would be painful for Zhu Youjian.
"That's all my money!"
Zhu Youjian then waved his hand slightly and smiled at Zhou Yanru and Bi Ziyan:
"It seems that most ministers have different ideas from yours."
By this point, Zhou Yanru had begun to back down.
"Why is it different from what I expected?"
He had assumed that even if there was discord within the Donglin Party,
But with this bigwig leading the charge and directly stating his position.
The other Donglin Party members could only grit their teeth and join him in impeaching Gao Qingyun.
Now, however, he is the only one who has stepped forward.
Nobody followed.
"Could it be that the Donglin Party intends to sell me out directly?"
He started to back down, his mind racing, trying to find a way to smooth things over.
But Bi Ziyan, who was standing next to him, shook his head.
"Your Majesty, regardless of what others do, I still intend to impeach Master Gao!"
As he spoke, he took off his official hat.
He spoke with genuine emotion.
“We all grew up reading the classics, and although we dare not say that we have truly lived up to the teachings of the sages, our loyalty to the emperor and our love for the country are certainly genuine.”
"As for the so-called Master Gao, his origins are unknown."
"Even if he saved His Majesty's life, you shouldn't trust him so much!"
"Your Majesty, you should dismiss that Master Gao!"
With that, he simply knelt down and kowtowed three times to the emperor.
Zhu Youjian snorted coldly.
"Bi Ziyan, do you really think I have no temper?"
"What I'm about to do is none of your business to interfere with!"
"Moreover, I must tell you that even if Master Gao gets involved in military affairs, it will only have a positive effect."
Bi Ziyan's face immediately showed an expression of deep distress.
"Your Majesty, you've been deceived! That Gao..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yanru retorted.
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Bi Ziyan's words are indeed inappropriate."
"Huh? Lord Zhou, you..." Bi Ziyan turned his head in disbelief.
However, Zhou Yanru interrupted him.
"If it weren't for Bi Ziyan's sweet talk that tricked me into joining him in submitting a memorial to impeach him, I would actually have trusted Master Gao a lot in my heart."
"Imagine, if Master Gao weren't a good person, why would he have offered up the miraculous medicine and saved His Majesty's life?"
In the past, Zhu Youjian might have actually been fooled and believed Zhou Yanru's words.
However, after Gao Qingyun gave him several pointers, he had become much more shrewd.
"Hmph, Bi Ziyan has been busy these past few days collecting his brother's remains and requesting the Ministry of Revenue to give his brother a good posthumous title."
"Where would I find the energy to care about Master Gao's affairs?"
"It was clearly Zhou Yanru who recruited Bi Ziyan, and then, seeing things were going badly, he turned around and accused Bi Ziyan of being the mastermind!"
However, Zhu Youjian was furious when he thought about how Bi Ziyan had spoken so ill of Gao Qingyun.
Therefore, they disregarded the fact that Bi Ziyan was indeed innocent and truly devoted to the country.
He waved his hand and said, "Men, throw Bi Ziyan and Zhou Yanru into the jail and await their fate."
Zhou Yanru panicked instantly.
"Your Majesty, I was truly dragged down by Bi Ziyan, it's all true!"
As he spoke, a few tears welled up in his eyes.
It's as if they've really been wronged.
Bi Ziyan simply sighed and let the Imperial Guards drag him away.
He simply said:
"Your Majesty, how can the Ming Dynasty be left without distinguishing right from wrong!"
Zhu Youjian snorted coldly a few times and waved his hand to signal the Imperial Guards to stop.
Then he said to Bi Ziyan:
"Oh? So you're saying that if I don't get rid of Master Gao, the Ming Dynasty will be doomed?"
Bi Ziyan shook his head.
"I dare not make a definitive statement on this matter."
"However, I am certain that if Master Gao really interferes in military affairs, the day when the court suffers a crushing defeat is not far off!"
At this point, Bi Ziyan's face showed a look of reminiscence.
During this time, he has been preoccupied with his younger brother's funeral arrangements.
However, he still managed to remember some things about the imperial court by chance.
Soon, he remembered something.
"I remember that the general appointed by the court to send troops to Ningjin this time was Li Ruolian."
"This man is merely a military officer who has never led troops before. How can he possibly be entrusted with such an important task?"
"Furthermore, I have also heard that after he led his troops out of the pass, his marching speed was extremely slow, as if he was not worried about Ning Jin's mutiny at all."
"This further proves that he understands nothing about military affairs!"
After these words were spoken, it was those ministers who had not yet expressed their opinions.
They nodded to themselves as they coughed.
They all understand this principle.
Even those who didn't understand before had received letters from Yuan Chonghuan some time ago.
In the letter, Yuan Chonghuan asked them to submit a memorial to His Majesty, urging Li Ruolian to advance quickly.
“Yuan Chonghuan once won a great victory at Ningjin. If he said so, it must be true.”
"It seems that this time, the imperial court is truly going to suffer a major defeat!"
They dared not speak openly, but could only whisper among themselves.
But when more people talk about it, they will naturally come together.
Zhu Youjian listened to the intermittent phrases "wrong" and "a great defeat."
His face gradually darkened.
Historically, he has never had a good temper.
Even though Gao Qingyun had taught him a lesson a few times, it's true that old habits die hard.
Just as he was about to wave his hand to let the Imperial Guards come in and clear the area.
Then a commotion was heard coming from outside the hall.
The ministers leaning against the palace gates were all somewhat displeased.
"Who dares to trespass into the main hall? A court assembly is still in progress here!"
But soon, someone's expression changed, and a hint of surprise appeared in their eyes.
"Could it be... news of a major defeat at the front?"
"Haha, if that's really the case, where will the little emperor's face be?"
In the center of the main hall, Zhou Yanru, who was being held captive by the Imperial Guards, also realized this.
His eyes quickly darted around:
"If that's really the case, do I have to make another drastic change of plans?"
He gritted his teeth.
Before the person outside could rush into the main hall, he hurriedly spoke.
"Your Majesty, I lied just now."
"This impeachment of Gao Qingyun was actually orchestrated by me..."
Before he could finish speaking, the military officers outside the hall had already rushed into the hall.
A yellow cloth was hanging behind him.
The military officer, beaming with joy, laughed and said:
"Your Majesty, a great victory!"
"Huh?" Zhou Yanru was dumbfounded.
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