The imperial edict to investigate the tomb

In the Golden Palace, Zhengde was sitting on the dragon chaise and was stunned. At this time, Caishikou should have a surgery, right? When Zhengde thought of this, he couldn't help but feel irritated.

The little emperor was young and did not have so many emperor skills. He simply could not accept Yang Ling's betrayal from an emotional point of view. When he heard that Yang Ling was involved in the matter and covered up the news that something happened in the tomb of his father, whom he respected the most, Zhengde wanted to kill this minister who he had been heartbroken with.

However, hatred is one thing. When he thinks of him as the prince and the emperor, he has always been alone until Yang Ling appears. This man saw that he did not have the awe and flattery that was common on other people's faces, but he really cared about him. He always regarded Yang Ling as a friend, but his only friend betrayed him. When Zhengde thought of this, he couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing that the emperor did not listen to him carefully, the censor Lu Zhongkun couldn't help but raise his voice and said loudly: "Emperor."

"Ah? What?" Zhengde was stunned for a moment, withdrew his eyes looking at Xu Wudi, and looked at the censor who had been talking for a long time but didn't know what to say.

Lu Zhongkun endured his anger and said, "Now the late emperor's death, Xiaoxiang has not been long. At the beginning of the emperor's era, he was happy and enjoying fun. The morning court came from time to time, and the afternoon was late and evening, and his daily life was impermanent, and he had lost his composure and impaired his affairs. This was not what the wise king did. I heard that the heavy rain and thunder of the Fengtian Palace broke the trench of the Taimiao beast. More than a hundred trees in the capital were broken. This is a warning."

Zhengde said lightly: "I understand, I have checked the good and bad luck by taking the imperial guards."

Lu Zhongkun said with gaze: "Emperor, according to the old rules of the previous dynasty, whenever there is a drastic change in heaven and earth, the emperor should reduce food and withdraw his joy and issue an edict to reflect on himself. The emperor should order all civil and military officials to advise and give advice and give advice to the current problems."

Emperor Zhengde's eyebrows stood up, and a burst of anger surged in his heart: "It's so outrageous. The wind and rain blew up a few trees, and the lightning shattered several stone beasts on the eaves of the palace. He also wanted to count on my head around the corner. What's wrong with the wise king! Am I a fool?"

But as a censor, the person who speaks is innocent. Even if it is his, the model emperor Hongzhi was still extremely unbearable when he was reported by the censor. Zhengde suppressed his anger and said, "Then I will issue an edict and order all officials to advise!"

Zhengde coughed and said, "My dear ministers who deceived the imperial tomb Yongquan have been taken to the execution ground to commit suicide. It is imperative for the first emperor to move the tomb. Some materials can be demolished from the old site. It is estimated that the new tomb will cost about three million taels to be rebuilt in this way. I want to add taxes a little. What suggestions do you have?"

"It's true!" The three great scholars couldn't help but wink at each other. Yesterday, after Zhengde retreated to Wu, Xu Guan went into the palace to report the confession of Qin's offender. Emperor Zhengde was so angry that he raised the imperial table and shouted that he would immediately punish the traitors Ming Zhengdian. When the three great scholars heard the news, they knew that the predecessor's move to the tomb was a foregone conclusion, but where did the huge expenses come from?

Others don’t know that, but they don’t know how much the Ming Dynasty’s finances have been tight due to continuous natural disasters in recent years? As for Wang Qiong, Xu Guan, Hong Zhong and others, their power positions will inevitably rise to the level and directly threaten their status, which is second.

Helplessly, Li Dongyang gritted his teeth and said, "Emperor, the imperial court earns 4 million taels per year, and it is barely paid for the expenses. Three-quarters of the tomb of the late emperor have used up. The Ministry of Revenue has exhausted its wealth. If the imperial tomb is moved, it will inevitably increase the tax. The people will not bear the suffering."

Zhengde angrily heard this, saying, "The people of the Ming Dynasty will be levied with a billion yuan, and each person will be levied one cent of taxes. Why do you have to be so exaggerated?"

Li Dongyang hurriedly said, "The emperor calmed down, but the emperor didn't know that there have been frequent natural disasters in recent years, floods and floods in Henan and Hebei were caused by severe droughts in Gansu and Shaanxi, and even rice prices in Jiangnan were extremely expensive. This led to the rampant thieves everywhere. Fortunately, the late emperor was kind and merciful to support the people with low taxes and loving the people. The people were able to overcome difficulties. However, the people in poor places had to live up to one meal a day. If the tax was added, it might arouse civil unrest."

Li Dongyang was afraid that Zhengde would not listen to the advice, so he was so anxious that he sweated down. If the Ming Dynasty hadn't heard of the fable "The last straw that broke the camel's back", he would have learned from Jiao Fang to give a curved advice.

Xie Qian immediately came out to report: "Emperor, now Miaoyi continues to cause chaos and harm the rear. The Tatars are eyeing our Ming Dynasty because of the great deeds of the late emperor. The country is wasted, and the water and drought are frequent, and the border storage is lacking. We should not cause any more trouble."

Zhengde slapped the table with a "slap" and said angrily: "Tailing is not auspicious. Should we let the ancestor be buried there? Or maybe my great emperor, the emperor, will he have to stop the coffin for ten years and not be buried in peace, waiting for the people to recuperate?"

Hongzuo has a very high prestige among the ministers, and Zhengde is considered from the dignity of the emperor and the filial piety of the sons. Although there are many people who oppose tax increases, they are speechless for a while.

His Highness was silent for a while, and Liu Jian came out of his silence and said: "I risked my life to speak out loudly. The emperor was fine and tidy. It can be seen that the common people were unable to escape the wind and rain. The emperor had a rich dress and had a good meal. It can be seen that the common people were hungry and hungry without covering their bodies. The late emperor returned to the tomb, and the etiquette was customized. It was not something that the ministers dared to discuss lightly, but there were some priorities. Mencius said: 'The people are the most important, the king is the most important, and the country is the most important.' The Ming Dynasty followed the destiny of heaven. The destiny of heaven is the people. The Ming Dynasty followed the destiny of heaven. Why should the small Feng Shui be careful? The Tailing was built with the resources of the country, so how could it be abolished? The late emperor was kind and loving the people. I believe that the late emperor had a spirit in heaven, and he would also value the people but not Feng Shui. After the confinement of your Majesty, he thought twice."

After Liu Jian said that, he couldn't stand it. Although he was very polite, he actually said that the people are the foundation of the country and the country. Feng Shui theory is false and untrue. As for the late emperor, it would be better to be buried in Tailing. Don't be useless and cheap money.

All the civil and military officials in the Golden Palace held their breath when they heard this. They had seen this little emperor's moody nature long ago. If he asked someone to drag Grand Secretary Liu down to the court in anger, wouldn't this old man be beaten to death at such an old age?

Wang Qiong, Xu Guan and others were determined to argue for Zhengde, but the news of the rumor that the court raised taxes had been circulated. They also said that it was their slander, and their reputation had plummeted. At this time, wouldn't it be confirmed that the matter was made, and they dared not come forward to speak.

Zhengde looked at it for a while and saw that no one of the civil and military officials came forward to agree with it, so he was so angry: This group of ministers pulled their necks and shouted that it would affect the country's fortune and harm future blessings. Now the three great scholars have brought out the people, but no one has helped me. Are you loyal to the emperor or cherishing your own feathers?

Zhengde pressed the imperial case with both hands and stood up suddenly. He pointed at Liu Jian about to speak, but suddenly the general of the palace rushed in and knelt down and shouted: "Report to the emperor, and the Minister of Justice Hong Zhongfei came to report. The wife of the criminal Yangling, Han, broke into the court and held the pen and ink painting of the late emperor, covering the criminal Yangling's head. Hong Zhong did not dare to execute the punishment without any intention, for fear of damage to the late emperor's relics. Please ask the emperor to decide!"

The officials buzzed and talked, perhaps because the daily court meeting was too boring. Listening to the strange story of Yang Ling's wife holding the imperial treasures in the imperial court to rescue her husband, the civil and military officials seemed to have taken stimulants.

Liu Jian was overjoyed when he lay on the ground and heard this. He said boldly and frankly, but in fact he was also worried. With the news diverting Zhengde's attention, he would be fine. Liu Jian let out a sigh of relief, raised his sleeves and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Zhengde was stunned when he heard this, and murmured for a while: "You said that Yang Ling's wife broke into the court? She held her father's handwriting and when did the father give the Yang family things? What did she write?"

He murmured to himself, his voice was very small, only the eunuch in front of the desk could hear it. However, he did not dare to ask him loudly without Zhengde's instructions. Zhengde was stunned for a while and slowly paced up on the imperial steps. All officials looked at his movements. He saw Zhengde gritting his teeth on the upper side for a while, and was stunned for a while before shouting: "Transfer the order, and ask Zhang Yong, the Imperial Horse Supervisor, to ask. Get the letter of the late emperor to show me and retreat to the court!"

At the entrance of Caishi, Hong Zhong was walking back and forth on the death row platform in a furious manner. The sun was shining in the sky, making him sweaty on his face. Although the young lady was not taking the imperial edict, the calligraphy and painting had nothing to do with this case, but it was written by the late emperor. He could not rob and could not rob and damage it in full view of everyone, so he had to froze here.

Hur he shouted: "Han, you want to be careful. It is a crime of beheading the punishment. Your husband Yang Ling is a crime of committing crimes and deceiving the emperor. He is a vicious person who is unforgivable for serious crimes. The emperor killed him only, which is a blessing from the law. You are young, don't you spare your life?"

Han Youniang raised the calligraphy and painting and raised her hands sore. She raised her head and glanced at Hong Zhong and said, "You are not a good person!"

"What?" Hong Zhong was surprised and said angrily: "Yang Han, how dare you slander the imperial officials?"

Han Youniang said, "My husband is a man who stands tall and upright, and a good official for the country and the people. If you say that my husband is not a good person, you must not be a good person."

Most of the people who turned around were promoted to the police, and they made a living by setting up stalls and selling goods. They hated Hong Zhong and the others for the tax increase. When they heard Han Youniang's words, they cheered in unison. The brave man squeezed into the crowd to scold him, which made Hong Zhong's face turn blue and red.

He shook his sleeves in disappointment and said, "It's hard to raise a villain and a woman. I don't want to care about you!"

Hong Zhong was so angry that he was speechless. At this moment, he rode a fast horse to the execution ground. The horse was dressed in a palace eunuch. The fast horse ran into a front stage from the passage made of two straw ropes. The man flew off the horse, and his skills were quite agile.

Yang Ling knew that Zhengde had a sisterly admiration for Young Lady. He originally thought that Zhengde would not take his anger on her because of his own affairs. No matter how bad Zhengde felt for the last emperor, he would forgive her when he saw the painting. But now that she had a troubled scene, Yang Ling couldn't guess what Zhengde's impulsive personality would deal with.

At this time, when he saw the fast horses running in the palace, his heart couldn't help but lift. Han Youniang also widened her eyes and looked at the person coming nervously. The elegant birds were silent. Zhang Yongfei got off the horse and walked up to the guillotine on the high ground. Yang Ling saw that it was him and couldn't help calling: "Eunuch Zhang".

Zhang Yong approached, but did not talk to Yang Ling. He approached and looked at the painting in a pretentious manner. He knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully. Hong Zhong and Cheng Wenyi stared at him and finished the salute slowly. Hong Zhong couldn't help but ask, "Donald, what are the emperor's instructions?"

Zhang Yong has now entered the Imperial Horse Prison and commanded Zuo Xiangma. He is one of the four leaders under Miao Kui. He is still unable to enter the Fangxin Power West Factory of Miao Kui. However, his status is much different from the past. He also has some confidence in speaking in front of Hong Shangshu. Hearing Hong Zhong’s number one, Zhang Yong smiled and said, “Sir, don’t be impatient. Our family will ask Yang Han for the sage.”

After saying that, he stepped forward and said to Han Youniang kindly: "Yang Han, the emperor asked you, Yang Ling criminals deceive the emperor and should be executed. What do you mean by a woman who is trying to break into the justice field?"

Han Youniang said in a voice: "My husband is a reproach and asks the emperor to send it back for retrial."

Zhang Yong nodded and said, "I understand. You can wait. Our family will invite you to go back to the palace to show the emperor. Yang Han, please give me the calligraphy and paintings."

Han Youniang relied on this calligraphy and painting to temporarily protect her husband. After hearing Zhang Yong's words, she couldn't help but hesitate. Zhang Yong laughed and said, "Yang Han, our family has obeyed the emperor's will. Will we still deceive you?"

Yang Ling said to Youniang: "Youniang, give the paintings and calligraphy of the late emperor to Eunuch Zhang, there is no need to doubt it."

After hearing this, Han Youniang raised her hands high and respectfully presented the calligraphy and paintings. Zhang Yong carefully took the framed calligraphy and paintings and rolled it up and put it in his arms. He turned his head to the Minister of Justice Hong Zhong and said, "Mr. Hong, the emperor ordered the execution to be suspended and the court was waiting for the order!"

As he said that, Zhang Yong turned around and walked off the stage and turned over to the horse, and rode away from the dust.

In Baohe Hall, Zhengde held the painting and said, "There are a hundred feet of pine trees. Although Lei Ke is very loyal, it is still a pillar of the building." After Zhengde thought about it, he pounded the table with regret and said, "Father, you plan to Yang Ling Xiaoguo and have a deep hope for him, but is the serious crime he has committed now still considered Xiao Xiaoleike?"

Zhang Yong glanced at the corner of his eyes and observed his expression carefully and said, "Your Majesty, I am stupid and can't figure it out. The emperor trusts Yang Ling. Yang Ling has a bright future. Why did he go to the tomb for a few days and commit such a heinous crime in a confused manner? I haven't read a few books, but I also know that if a person commits a crime, it must be profitable. If he deceives the king, then he should be tempted by profit. What is Yang Ling's goal?"

Zhengde's expression moved, and he turned to look at him and said, "Old Zhang, just say something, don't bend around the bush with me. Are you saying that Yang Ling has no reason to deceive the emperor?"

Zhang Yong smiled and said, "I dare not say it, but logically speaking, even if the project on the tomb is profitable, it is even more beneficial to not report this matter. Why is Yang Ling so stupid? I can't figure it out."

Zhengde snorted heavily and said, "The witnesses in the tomb testified in person, and other insiders were surprised to die. Isn't this enough to prove it? Besides, they have confessed."

Zhang Yong smiled flatteringly and said, "Yes, yes, so the old slave said he was stupid. Speaking of which, Yang Ling and the others didn't cry without seeing the coffin. They were captured and refused to plead guilty and served their sentences. They had to take the big punishment before they could be called. Isn't this a naughty person?"

Zhengde heard his implication that Yang Ling was scolded by Qu, and couldn't help but turn his head to look at him. He turned around and then Duan Xiang's father's calligraphy and painting for a long time. He couldn't help but remember what his father said when he held his hand that day: "The emperor, there are all old ministers in the court, and he can't assist the emperor for the rest of his life. Yang Ling is a man who values ​​love and righteousness, and has a unique insight into politics and military affairs. If you are motivated, you may be your loyal minister."

When Zhengde thought about it, his father's voice, smile seemed to be right in front of him, and he couldn't help feeling sad. He hesitated for a while and said, "It's a pity that the imperial tomb Jinjing can't move easily, otherwise I really want to send someone to check it out to see if Yang Ling really deceived me."

Zhang Yong hurriedly said, "Emperor, originally the Tai Mausoleum should not be easily used, but now the emperor is moving to the tomb, so it will be abandoned. Not to mention testing, it is not necessary to dig it all open. The emperor might as well send someone to see it. If the evidence is conclusive, no one in the court or the country can say anything. If there is no problem, since the Feng Shui has not been broken, then it may be just used to make up for it. It can still be used as an imperial tomb. The emperor in the court does not have to make any embarrassment for all officials."

Zhengde suddenly slapped his forehead and shouted, "That's right, I have always remembered that I can't move there, but I forgot that the present is different from the past. Zhang Yong, go and send an order. Yang Ling and his men are taken back to Tianzhu. I will send someone to Tailing to inspect it in person."

Zhengde spoke very happily. Today, the three old ministers in charge of the court opposed the tax increase so seriously. Zhengde really did not have the courage to suppress the three dukes forcibly issued the edict. Moreover, after seeing his father's handwriting and listening to Zhang Yong's words, he also had a question in his heart. If it was true as Zhang Yong said, wouldn't everyone be happy?

"I'm following the order!" Zhang Yong responded with a smile, turned around and left hurriedly. As soon as he walked to the door, he saw Liu Jian, Xie Qian, Xu Guan, Jiao Fang, Liu Yu, Yang Lin and other ministers coming to Baohe Palace. Zhang Yong was in a hurry to pass the order, but he ignored it and left in a hurry.

Li Dongyang and Xie Guan came to the land for tax collection. Some words were inconvenient to say in the court, and wanted to argue with the emperor in the back hall. As for Xu Guan and others, they came to persuade the emperor to increase taxes, but they thought of a compromise method, that is, the taxes vary from place to place, less levy of poor land, and more rich land. In this way, the taxes for rich land will double this year, and only 30% of poor land will be added. Although there are still complaints, it will only cause rich land to become poorer and poorer, but this method is better than evenly distributed across the country.

Unexpectedly, as soon as several people entered the hall, Zhengde said happily: "My dear friends are here. I want to send someone to Tailing to inspect to verify whether Yang Ling and others deceived the emperor. Who do you think you should send?"

This little emperor had a brilliant idea and often left aside half of his thoughts to do something else. These ministers had long been used to it. Although these old ministers still couldn't keep up with Zhengde's jumping thinking, they could still be calm and adapt to the situation.

Li Dongyang was stunned and immediately said, "I would like to go to Tailing."

Xu Guan knew that he was against tax increases. He heard Wang Qiong say that he was still saying that he had protected Yang Ling in front of Emperor Hongzhi. This old guy didn't believe in Feng Shui and might expel Yang Ling privately. He immediately opposed it: "Isn't it appropriate, is the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty going to be an inspector?"

Xie Qian retorted: "Shangshu Xu's words are bad. Even if the matter of Tailing is not discussed, even if it is not about Feng Shui, it is really related to the national destiny now. What a big deal? The old minister also wants to ask the emperor for his actions."

Xu Guan was the person who reported the water seepage case of the imperial tomb. In order to avoid suspicion, he certainly could not inspect the imperial tomb. He was anxious and hurriedly said: "Since this is the case, this matter should be more cautious. From the old minister's perspective, the emperor should choose a court official who has no interest in this case to go."

Jiao Fang asked, "Who should I go according to Xu Shangshu?"

Xu Guan pondered for a moment and said, "It would be better to choose a honorary relative, a court official, and a Hanlin. The three of them went together to retrieve the soil and compare it with the Jinjing soil sealed by the Ministry of Rites. It is clear whether there is any difference. Moreover, the three of them are different, and they are restrained and supervised each other, which is fair and fair."

He firmly believed that Jinjing had been tampered with, so he was not afraid of it. The three recommended people were ministers in the court, one was a minister who only had fame, wealth and no real power, and the other was an alternate official. It was not involved in the government affairs, so it was naturally the most appropriate.

Yang Lin smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I elected Duke Cheng Guo Zhu Gang, Duke Cheng Dezhao, who is fair and selfless, both a noble and a relative of the country, and is the best candidate."

Emperor Xianzong once adopted the daughter of Chenggong as his concubine, so Yang Lin said this.

Jiao Fang had a good impression of Yang Ling, and it was Wang Qiong who wanted to mess with Yang Ling, so he naturally favored Yang Ling. However, Jiao Fang did not dare to recommend himself to take risks. He suddenly remembered that when Yang Ling was waiting to take the imperial examination, a vocational student who had taken the exam wrote a beautiful article to support him. The ministers in the court knew not much about this, but Jiao Fang was best to collect strange news in the market, but he knew very well.

Jiao Fang thought to himself: This scholar must have some friendship with Yang Ling. The scholar has now entered the Hanlin Academy. Although he may not be willing to sacrifice his life for Yang Ling, if there is something cheap and vague when inspecting the imperial tomb Jinjing, he will definitely give Yang Ling convenience.

Jiao Fang thought of this and said hurriedly: "I am a member of Yan Song. This person is a new Jinshi this year and has been selected as a Shujishi of the Hanlin Academy. He has outstanding literary talent and is a new Jinshi. He has never entered the court and can be an imperial envoy."

Zhengde nodded and said, "Okay, these two people have decided, so who will go among the court officials?"

Everyone looked at each other and stopped talking for a while. This case has become a martial arts field where six ministries and even the three ministers compete with each other after the new emperor ascended the throne and redistributed power. As long as they are mixed in, they will definitely offend one side. Who is willing to answer randomly?

Seeing that no one responded, Zhengde looked at everyone one by one. The Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Justice, and these yamen were all involved in the case and were not available. Zhengde shook his head, and suddenly he saw Chen Hongmo, the Minister of War, and couldn't help but say happily: "The Ministry of War has nothing to do with this case. Let Liu Qing go to the minister in the court."

Chen Hongmo was shocked when he heard this. He was ignorant of the offending mission. Chen Hongmo hurriedly said, "I thank the emperor for his favor, but I dare not hide it. Hua Fu, a doctor of the Imperial Heaven Supervision, is a relative of my relatives. Since this case involves the Imperial Heaven Supervision, I should avoid suspicion."

Seeing Zhengde's face showing displeasure, he quickly said, "But one of my friends is still there, this person is also an official of the Ministry of War. He is usually very steady and has nothing to do with this case, but his official position is a little humble."

Zhengde said impatiently: "I want to send someone, I just want to find someone who has nothing to do with this case to help me understand it. It doesn't matter how big the official position is. Who are you talking about?"
Chapter completed!