RPAGF Chapter 739: Sinner’s Edict
Chapter 739: Sinner’s Edict
Chapter 739: Sin yourself edict
early morning.
The civil and military officials were all furious; Wang Wenzhou, that mad dog, had been late again. It was almost noon, and all the matters that needed to be dealt with for the day had been completed, but Zhu Youjian had not yet issued an edict to dismiss the court. Everyone understood that Zhu Youjian was waiting for Wang Wenzhou.
However, all the civil and military officials couldn't understand why Zhu Youjian didn't quickly send someone to urge Wang Wenzhou.
Zhu Youjian smiled, glancing at the crowd from time to time, but he was seething with anger. He knew that Wang Wenzhou was probably still sleeping with Empress Zhou in his arms, but what angered him most was the behavior of the Donglin Party.
These Donglin Party members are truly wicked. In the past few days, rumors have started circulating in and around the capital, saying that the reason why the Ming Dynasty is currently facing internal and external troubles is all because of Zhu Youjian, who is a foolish emperor.
Zhu Youjian was furious. How could he be blamed? He asked himself, since he ascended the throne, he had never relaxed for a single day. He had devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty. He was only twenty-eight years old this year, but he already had white hair. How could such a diligent and people-loving person be slandered as a foolish emperor?
The civil and military officials exchanged glances. Waiting like this couldn't go on forever. Several Donglin Party leaders exchanged looks, and Zheng Sanjun nodded. He walked up to Kong Zhenyun and said softly, "Lord Kong, perhaps you should remind the Emperor that it's time to adjourn court? It's almost noon, and all the officials are here; the yamen is deserted!"
Wen Tiren was dismissed from office and returned to civilian life, so Kong Zhenyun became the Grand Secretary. The reason he was able to become Grand Secretary was because he was not a member of the Donglin Party. Now that he was Grand Secretary, it was natural for him to speak first.
Kong Zhenyun thought for a moment, nodded, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhu Youjian, and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. If there's nothing else, may we adjourn the court?"
Zhu Youjian pouted, feeling furious. "Wang Wenzhou, you've gone too far! What time is it? Why aren't you up yet?"
Zhu Youjian knew that Wang Wenzhou's refusal to attend court was also an attempt to avoid involvement in the matter. However, Zhu Youjian had no other choice but to use Wang Wenzhou.
It turned out that ever since rumors began to circulate that Zhu Youjian was a foolish emperor, Zhu Youjian consulted with Wang Wenzhou on how to deal with it. Wang Wenzhou came up with an idea: to have Zhu Youjian issue an edict of self-reproach.
Zhu Youjian was furious. An edict of self-reproach wasn't something one could issue lightly. An emperor's word was law; a monarch's word was law. The emperor represented the will of Heaven; how could an emperor err? Moreover, Zhu Youjian had always aspired to be a wise and benevolent ruler, praised for generations. Issuing such an edict would be a slap in his own face.
Ultimately, Wang Wenzhou persuaded Zhu Youjian. Wang Wenzhou's point was that while the emperor had made mistakes, so had the ministers. Therefore, since everyone was wrong, a study session should be held where they could reflect on their errors and learn how to govern the country in the future.
After Wang Wenzhou explained, Zhu Youjian understood Wang Wenzhou's meaning. Wang Wenzhou wanted to use the pretext of the study class to put the ministers under house arrest and then promote new people. In this way, the Donglin Party's power in the court would be wiped out.
Although he couldn't deal with officials from other regions in this way for the time being, Zhu Youjian was happy to get rid of the Donglin Party members in the court. After weighing the pros and cons, he agreed to it.
But Wang Wenzhou began to back down; he didn't want to get involved. If he were to get involved, he wouldn't just be locked in a life-or-death struggle with the Donglin Party, but with all officials of the Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Youjian could not agree to this; if he didn't use Wang Wenzhou, he had no other choice.
"Your Majesty?" Kong Zhenyun asked again, seeing that Zhu Youjian was in a high-ranking position, "May the court session be adjourned?"
"Hmm..." Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and then said, "Wait a moment, Wang Chengen will summon Wang Wenzhou, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, to court."
"This servant obeys the decree!" Wang Chengen hurriedly withdrew, shaking his head with a wry smile. He really didn't want to invite Wang Wenzhou, because every time he went to Kunning Palace, what he saw and heard made him want to kill Wang Wenzhou.
A moment later, Wang Wenzhou, reluctantly carrying the two babies, followed slowly behind Wang Chengen.
Da Yu'er and Gao Guiying were both dressed as eunuchs. These past few days, whenever Wang Wenzhou went to court, they followed him. At first, the officials would often glare at them, and the two girls knew to be shy; after all, this was the imperial court, and Wang Wenzhou was really being unreasonable. But as time went on, the two girls got used to it.
"Hmph!" Wang Wenzhou snorted coldly, his head fixed on the ground, without bowing.
Zhu Youjian smiled slightly and asked, "Minister Wang, what is it you wish to report?"
Wang Wenzhou said irritably, "Does Your Majesty have nothing to report? I think it's best to adjourn the court session if there's nothing else!"
Zhu Youjian frowned and said coldly, "Minister Wang, stop your nonsense. It's already noon. Are you still not awake? You are an important minister of my Great Ming Dynasty. How can you indulge in women all day long? Do I have to issue an edict to make all your wives and concubines shave their heads and become nuns?"
"Pah!" Wang Wenzhou cursed inwardly. "You bastard surnamed Zhu, how dare you threaten me? You're a pig! You think I don't want to do this? Of course I do, I was just pretending. I didn't want to drag all the hatred down with me."
"Huh?" All the civil and military officials were completely bewildered, unable to understand what Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian, the emperor and his minister, were up to this time. Everyone knew that Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian had reconciled, and Wang Wenzhou had been staying in the palace these past few days, the two seemingly returning to their former relationship.
Of course, only a few prominent figures in the Donglin Party knew the inside story: Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. Zheng Sanjun frowned deeply; it seemed Zhu Youjian was forcing Wang Wenzhou to make a move.
“Hoo…” Wang Wenzhou took a deep breath, pretending to have made a great decision, before speaking: “Your Majesty, recently there have been many rumors circulating among the people, saying that our Great Ming is now beset by internal and external troubles, and that it is all Your Majesty’s fault. I believe that although the rumors are not true, Your Majesty is also at fault for the Great Ming’s current situation. I request Your Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach.”
"Huh?" The civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment. What was going on?
Zheng Sanjun was completely bewildered. Could it be that Zhu Youjian was trying to advance by retreating? No wonder Zhu Youjian forced Wang Wenzhou to slap the emperor in the face; of course, no one wanted to do that.
Zhu Youjian looked at everyone and asked, "What do you gentlemen think?"
"Huh?" The crowd was unsure how to respond.
Zheng Sanjun pondered the matter carefully. He realized that the Donglin Party's intention in spreading these words was to tarnish Zhu Youjian's reputation and pin the blame on him. Since Zhu Youjian intended to use a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement, the Donglin Party could simply respond accordingly. The initiative was currently still in the hands of the Donglin Party.
Thinking of this, Zheng Sanjun cupped his hands and said, "Although the current situation is not the Emperor's fault, if the Emperor issues an edict of self-reproach, it will not only reassure the people but also demonstrate the Emperor's determination to take responsibility. We will certainly, under the Emperor's leadership, learn from our shame and strive to revitalize the Ming Dynasty!"
"We second that!" In an instant, all the Donglin Party members present stood up to support Zheng Sanjun.
Zheng Sanjun chuckled inwardly. "Zhu Youjian, you're a complete idiot! Trying to use retreat as a tactic? You've got yourself shoved this mess into your head; don't even think about getting it off. Let's see how you handle this!"