Chapter 557 The Second Snow

The 17th day of the twelfth lunar month.

It started to snow in the capital again.

This time the snow was slightly larger than the beginning of the moon. Thin snow gradually piled up on the glazed tiles and corners of the palace walls and walls in the imperial city palace; for a moment, the palace seemed to be covered by a layer of white gauze.

Emperor Zhu Gaochi still did not attend court, nor did he call on ministers to discuss matters; however, he had been almost half a month and had not indulged in lust.

It was not that he suddenly realized, but that he was really tired of playing too much.Especially after finishing things just once every day, his interest in groups of beauties in the palace has greatly reduced.

This is not the first time he has done such indulgence; he has done it shortly after Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne.

Although the state was unstable at that time, he was frustrated for too long when he was the crown prince and the crown prince, and suddenly ascended the throne and became very wanton.

Both times, after a while, he felt that he was not very interested; no one could control him.

However, Zhu Gaochi still did not attend court, and would rather sit in the Ganqing Palace to read books and listen to music every day...

Zhu Gaochi knew the most important matter in the court.He just was unwilling to deal with the memorials; but he did not issue an order to prevent the eunuch of the Silijian, the commander of the Jinyiwei, and other confidants from meeting each other.

Yesterday, Tan Qing, the commander of the Jinyiwei, came to the Ganqing Palace and delivered a secret memorial from the Minister of War Jin Zhong!But Zhu Gaochi ignored it and directly asked Tan Qing to send it to the outer court for disposal.

At this moment, the eunuch of the Sili Principal Haitao came to the Ganqing Palace again.Haitao bowed and walked over and said carefully: Emperor, the second memorial from Jinbutang has arrived again.

Zhu Gaochi didn't put down the book in his hand and kept a comfortable position on the chair cushion. He asked without looking back, what did Jin Zhong say this time?

Haitao said: Jinbutang wrote that Britain impartially mobilized almost all the water and land troops in Huguang Province to head south, trying to block the rebels on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River...

After hearing this, Zhu Gaochi made a meaningless voice and continued to look at his book.

Seeing this, Haitao said: Several ministers in the court said that the most important part of this memorial was not the matter reported by the Jinbutang, but the words "800 Miles Express" on the envelope.

oh?Zhu Gaochi finally became a little interested and his eyes moved away from the book.Haitao hurriedly raised the envelope with both hands and pointed it out to him.

Haitao said carefully again: The ministers all want to meet the emperor to discuss matters, waiting for the emperor to make an idea.

Zhu Gaochi did not respond, but he did not look at the book in his hand anymore. His eyes were not focused on anything, as if he was thinking about something. I kept this way for a long time.

Haitao wanted to speak but stopped, and finally leaned over and whispered: I have also seen the Empress.The Empress said that the Duke of England had only a disabled son and did not necessarily care about his younger brothers; such a powerful military minister had a heart made of iron, cruel and cold...

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Haitao.He had known before that this eunuch had been attracted by the queen, and Zhu Gaochi just didn't want to worry about it.Because once you have to worry about it, the subsequent matters will be very troublesome.

Zhu Gaochi still didn't say anything; while Haitao only said that sentence, and stood there tactfully.

After a long time, Zhu Gaochi said: I believe Jin Zhong will not lie to me, but will that spy from the Ministry of War spy, definitely not deceive Mongolian Jin Zhong?This matter is only speculation from beginning to end, and there is not even a little credential.

Haitao did not dare to contradict the emperor and hurriedly said: The emperor is wise.

Zhu Gaochi said: Let the ministers think of their own ways.

Haitao said: I will obey the order!

...So Haitao walked to the cabinet study of the Hanlin Academy, where several ministers were already discussing matters.

Ahem!Haitao cleared his voice and sang, "Imperial Order!"

Several officials hurriedly gave a big gift.

Haitao walked to the north and said with his head raised: The emperor issued an order to let the ministers think of their own ways.I admire this.Haitao likes to pass the orders very much. Even though he knows that people respect the imperial power and not the eunuch, he still feels very good whenever this happens.

I will receive the order to thank you!The ministers worshiped.

Everyone stood up one after another, including Yuan Gong, Ru Feng, Guo Zi and others.Some of them were old ministers of the previous dynasty, and some were confidants of the emperor, but they were all ministers that the emperor relied on.

The study quickly started to talk and became a little noisy.

At this time, Ru Wei's voice said: I am just a Minister of War, and I say a few words without any bias...

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone else stopped and looked at them sideways.

Perhaps because Ru Wei made a lot of sense, he surrendered after the Jingnan Campaign, and he didn't even have the qualification to favor anyone!

So of course it is more likely to be out of public interest.

Ru Ying said: I have been working as the Minister of War since the Hongwu period. To be honest, Huguang no longer needs to establish the position of "General Pinghan" in this situation.The official army in the Battle of Huguang was defeated. Who else can the remaining troops there be?

All present were people from the center of the court, so there was no need to hide anything; Ru Yi asked a big truth, and no one could answer immediately.

Ru Wei continued: It is not only useless to retain the "General Ping Han" in Huguang Province, but it is also a danger to the court. To this day, the Duke of England can command the navy. What can he do? Can the warships climb to the shore to suppress the rebellion?

It makes sense... Someone immediately agreed.

Yuan Gong asked: What does Rubutang mean? Let’s temporarily remove the position of “General Pinghan”?

Ru Wei nodded and said: This is the best!Within months, the official army could no longer attack the rebels, and could only rely on city defense to fight for time; do you need such a powerful general to defend the city?

And the British Duke's strategy, I think it's nonsense! If the navy alone can cut off the rebels' boat bridge and ask Chen Xuan to go, it can also delay the rebels' crossing the river; what will happen if the remnants of Changsha pass by in a hurry?

At this moment, Guo Zi said: I have two sentences.

Several ministers turned to look at Guo Zi, because the ministers discussed dealing with various government affairs together and Guo Zi's proposals were still very calm.

Guo Zi did not speak to the ministers, but greeted the eunuch Haitao and asked: The imperial edict sent by Eunuch Hai should be the original words of the emperor's golden words?

Haitao was startled and hurriedly said: After our family was brave enough, they dared to forge an imperial edict?

Eunuch Hai, don’t worry, I’m just sure.Guo Zidao.

He pondered for a moment, then looked back at his colleagues around him and said in a deep voice: Have you ever thought that the edict of the abolition of the "General Ping Han" must be required? The emperor uploaded the decree and asked us to think of our own ideas, but did not issue an order to take back the seal of the "General Pinghan". What solution can we think of?

After Guo Zi mentioned it, everyone suddenly realized it.Lian Ruyi also pondered: I really didn’t expect this section just now.

Yuan Gong said helplessly: This matter seems...no need to tell other ministers to decide.

Everyone nodded and said yes.

Jin Zhong's first secret memorial was sent to the cabinet study of the Hanlin Academy after the emperor received it; the second 800-mile rush memorial was almost known to the Tongzheng and the Central Ministers.

Therefore, among the important officials of the court, some must be suspicious of Zhang Fu colluding with the rebel king!But at this point, it seems that the decision can't be made anymore and can only be put on hold for the time being.

...The 19th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Something strange happened suddenly in the capital.The people from the Jinyiwei discovered in the early morning that Liu Sheng’s family actually wanted to run away!

At that time, the two people in charge of monitoring the Liu Mansion had no military status, but they only received some military surplus.After they found out, they did not dare to activate the mansion of the noble generals and hurriedly reported to the peak.

Unexpectedly, Tan Qing from the Jinyiwei attached great importance to this matter and arrived soon after he rode a horse and immediately led his army to block Liu Sheng's mansion.Tan Qing took action personally and led his men into Liu's mansion!

It was still a long time to dawn. The Liu family not only dressed neatly, but also packed up a lot of things.

If they hadn't had to pack so many items, they would probably not have to get up so early to make trouble.

Tan Qing asked Mrs. Liu politely: Where are you going to go, please explain to the old lady.

How to explain this?The old lady could not answer.

So Tan Qing immediately mobilized a large number of troops from the Jinyiwei to surround Liu's mansion and control everyone in the mansion.

Then he went to the imperial city and waited for dawn and the emperor to get up so that he could enter the palace to meet the emperor!

As soon as dawn was dawn, the eunuchs in the palace opened the Meridian Gate.The Jinyiwei could move at the Meridian Gate and be responsible for defending this gate; Tan Qing called a eunuch and invited the eunuch Haitao, the eunuch of the Silijian.

Tan Qing talked to Haitao about what happened in the early morning and asked Haitao to enter the palace to start the imperial examination.

Sure enough, when there are really important things, the emperor must pay attention to them.After a while, an eunuch came to the Meridian Gate and sent an order to Tan Qing and go straight to the Ganqing Palace to meet the saint!

Tan Qing was very fast, and the eunuch leading the way could hardly keep up, and he was panting like a bellows.

When Tan Qing arrived at the Ganqing Palace, he knelt at the door to ask for an appointment. After he was allowed to enter, he saw that the emperor had just put on his robe and boots, and the palace maid was combing his hair.

The emperor asked Tan Qing about some specific things, when did he find out the movement of the Liu Mansion, did the people in the mansion really pack their luggage, and how did those people explain... Then the emperor asked solemnly: General Tan confirms that the Liu family wants to run away?

Tan Qing thought for a while before reporting to the emperor: I am sure that the Liu family must be preparing to escape!

At this time, the emperor finally combed his hair and put on a black hat.The eunuch Haitao bowed and asked: Emperor, do you want to issue an order to summon ministers?

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and said: No, prepare the pen and ink seal.I want to issue an edict to order British Duke Zhang Fu to immediately cancel the strategy of "land and water and land to advance southward"!All military powers of the "General Ping Han" were suspended, and Zhang Fu and Liu Sheng were summoned to receive the order and set off on the same day to return to Beijing to report their duties.

Haitao worshiped: I will follow the order and go and handle the things immediately.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Tan Qing and said: You go to the Ministry of War to summon it, and ask the Ministry of War to issue a similar military order.Prepare to quickly send it to Wuchang Mansion after the completion of the work!

Tan Qing clasped his fists and said: I obey the order!