Chapter 81 This is a loyal minister
Although Ma Wensheng and others were admonishing themselves out of public concern for themselves, Zhu Houzhao was not willing to compromise at this time.
It's not that Zhu Houzhao is really stubborn, but that he knows that if he wants to be the uncompromising emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he cannot make the slightest compromise with the civil service group, even if the compromise is beneficial to himself.
The emperor cannot submit to his subordinates. Otherwise, if he submits to his subordinates the first time, there will be a second time, and then a third time. If this continues, the imperial power will naturally be greatly affected.
"Are Ma Wensheng and the others still kneeling?"
Seeing that midnight was approaching, the snow began to fall again. Even though Zhu Houzhao was hugging the stove in the palace, he felt the chill was pressing, so he couldn't help but ask Liu Jin.
"Your Majesty, you're still kneeling," Liu Jin replied with a smile, and couldn't help but persuade: "Your Majesty, Ma Gefu and the others are different from other Qingliu civil servants. Their hearts are still towards the Emperor, not to mention them. We are old and it’s so cold outside, why don’t we let them in?”
Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and said: "No, don't think that because I respect and favor them, they can blackmail me. Kneel down if you want. If you kneel to death, just replace me."
Zhu Houzhao was about to go back to the Nuan Pavilion to sleep, and ordered Liu Jin: "If there is news from Gu Dayong, wake me up immediately!"
Liu Jin quickly said yes.
In the second half of the night, when the north wind blew more and more fiercely, Zhu Houzhao woke up again. He couldn't help but put on his big cloak and went outside to put out water. Seeing that Liu Jin was still outside, he asked, "Are they still kneeling?"
"Back to the emperor, everyone is still kneeling and has turned into a snowman."
Liu Jin replied.
Zhu Houzhao smiled faintly, feeling a little disappointed: "They are going to continue the stalemate with me."
With that, Zhu Houzhao ordered: "Pass them in!" As he said, Zhu Houzhao ordered people to prepare three pots of stoves and three layers of thick blankets.
At this time, Liu Jin also hurriedly sent eunuchs to help Ma Wensheng, Jiao Fang, and Xu Jin, who were about to lose consciousness, into Qianqing Palace.
Ma Wensheng, who was numb from the cold, couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has changed his mind and wants to let the Qingliu civil servants go?"
Zhu Houzhao yawned, took a cup of ginger tea from the palace maid and drank it. The spicy smell was pungent, and all the chill in his body was driven away. He pointed at Ma Wensheng and ordered: "Gift Three cups of ginger tea for them.”
Ma Wensheng thanked him and had a drink.
Seeing this, Zhu Houzhao just smiled slightly: "I didn't say I wanted to let go. I just ask you, do you still want to kneel down and force me to compromise?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to use this to force Your Majesty. I am actually thinking about the stability of the Ming Dynasty and your Majesty's safety!"
Ma Wensheng said.
Jiao Fang and Xu Jin also nodded.
"Then kneel down, kneel on this thick blanket, put a pot of fire for the three of them, and kneel here!"
Zhu Houzhao said and went back to the house and continued to sleep.
Ma Wensheng and others glanced at Zhu Houzhao, feeling speechless, but he didn't know what to do, so he could only continue to kneel.
I don’t know how much time passed.
The sky finally dawned, and Zhu Houzhao also opened his sleepy eyes. After the palace maids had washed and changed clothes, Zhu Houzhao came to the front hall again and came to Ma Wensheng and others. Seeing that they were still kneeling, he smiled and said: "Spirit Not bad!" As he said that, Zhu Houzhao suddenly became serious:
"I can tell you now that I have never thought of compromising with you civil servants! Don't ask me for the reason that the stability of the country and the country are the most important, and that we should not cause chaos in the world!
Although I have grown up in a deep palace, I am not afraid of chaos in the world, nor of life and death. If you continue to persecute me, I will withdraw with you or even kill you!
If you are really for the sake of the world and the country, stand up for me now, stand by my side, and work with me to deal with all those who dare to challenge my dignity! I only give you two choices, either be my enemy like the Qingliu civil servants, or be my arm! ”
Ma Wensheng remained motionless, but he had mixed feelings in his heart. He did not expect that his majesty was so stubborn.
Jiao Fang was hesitant. He looked at Xu Jin and Ma Wensheng. He knew that this was the ultimatum given by His Majesty to him. Following His Majesty, he would naturally become the enemy of the entire civil service group and continue to kneel down to force His Majesty. It is equivalent to being an enemy of His Majesty.
Xu Jin clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and suddenly stood up: "Since Your Majesty wants to make a desperate move, I just follow Your Majesty and make a desperate move. Justice is in the hearts of the people!"
Xu Jin stood up, and Jiao Fang also stood up: "Since His Majesty has made such a decision, as a human minister, I can only listen to it!"
Zhu Houzhao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that his support for them and killing several civil servants yesterday had worked. At least Xu Jin and Jiao Fang were still willing to follow him.
But Zhu Houzhao still looked at Ma Wensheng, whose prestige among courtiers could compete with Li Dongyang, Wang Shu and others.
If Ma Wensheng also compromises with himself, Zhu Houzhao will naturally be more confident to change things.
Jiao Fang and Xu Jin also looked at Ma Wensheng. Naturally, they also hoped to have an old minister on their side and on His Majesty's side.
Even Liu Jin looked at Ma Wensheng with burning eyes.
Ma Wensheng knelt on the ground for a long time, and sighed slightly: "O late Emperor!" Immediately, Ma Wensheng bowed to Zhu Houzhao again: "I sincerely ask your Majesty to give you a pair of the Four Treasures of the Study!"
"Accurate!"
Zhu Houzhao didn't know why Ma Wensheng suddenly asked for the four treasures of the study, so he didn't hesitate and gave Liu Jin a look.
Liu Jin personally brought the four treasures of the study, placed them in front of Ma Wensheng, and personally studied the ink for Ma Wensheng: "Please help me!"
Ma Wensheng didn't respond. He just knelt on the ground, spread out the paper, picked up the brush, and dipped it in ink.
Zhu Houzhao didn't know what Ma Wensheng was going to do.
But then, Zhu Houzhao saw Ma Wensheng writing on the paper "Shang Shu please punish those who rebel against the Party", and then began to write "I heard about the world"... Therefore, I asked Your Majesty to punish Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian and other rebels. Sincerely, Ma Wensheng, I hope your Majesty will accept it. If you do not punish those who rebel against the party, it will be a misfortune for the country. If you punish those who rebel against the party, it will be a great blessing for the country. ”
After Ma Wensheng finished writing, he stamped his seal and handed it to Zhu Houzhao tremblingly: "Since Your Majesty insists on having his own way, let this veteran bear the infamy!"
Frankly speaking, Zhu Houzhao was very moved. He did not expect that Ma Wensheng's final decision was not only to comply with his wishes, but also to turn the matter into something he instigated, so that he could offend the civil servants all over the world. On to himself.
If Chongzhen had such a good minister, why would he hang himself on Meishan Mountain?
Zhu Houzhao personally helped Ma Wensheng up: "You are a loyal minister! Pass the decree, increase Ma Wensheng's title to Grand Master, and dispatch three hundred brocade guards to guard Ma's mansion!"
After saying that, Gao Feng ran in: "Your Majesty, something bad happened. Many ministers knelt down outside the palace. From the officials of various ministries to the governor in Beijing, they all asked Your Majesty not to disturb the law and order, not to create a big prison!"
Zhu Houzhao hurriedly came outside the palace gate and saw a large group of civil servants kneeling outside. The scale was obviously much larger than yesterday, and he could hardly see the side. He couldn't help but laugh: "Very good, very good!"
At this time, Ma Yongcheng and Wang Yangming suddenly appeared outside the palace on horseback, and shouted: "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to escort Zhang Yu and other important prisoners to Beijing and temporarily detained them in the imperial prison! I came back to report to Your Majesty!"< br>
(End of chapter)