Chapter 62: Early Morning
Looking at Zhou Jiamou's serious appearance, Emperor Tianqi nodded slightly. This was actually something he had been wanting to do all along. However, before figuring out the ministers' bottom line, Emperor Tianqi would not start this matter. After all, it was better not to alarm the snake in the grass before making preparations.
Looking at the contemplative Tianqi Emperor, Zhou Jiamou's heart was certain, but also had a deep sense of loss. It seemed that he really wasn't as good as Yang Lian, although Yang Lian hadn't had much interaction with the Tianqi Emperor, his understanding of the emperor's thoughts was very accurate.
He let out a soft sigh, and Zhou Jiamou said slowly: "Your Majesty, are you worried that the news will leak? On this point, Your Majesty can rest assured, I guarantee the safety of this matter with my life."
Looking at Zhou Jiamou's appearance, Emperor Tianqi suddenly felt a bit strange. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something didn't feel right. After some thought, Emperor Tianqi's expression turned serious and he asked: "Zhou, who is the person you want to win over?"
"It's Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian, Your Majesty." Zhou Jiamou saw that the Tianqi Emperor had finally asked a relevant question and couldn't help but feel secretly delighted, hastily saying out the names of these two people.
Upon seeing Zhou Jiamo's appearance, Emperor Tianqi finally realized what was strange - it was this Zhou Jiamo who was being strange. It seemed that he had already discussed with Yang Lian and the two of them were in agreement, now they just wanted to get his approval. Emperor Tianqi smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying: "The current situation in the court is not yet clear, I am not being overly suspicious, it's just that we must be careful at this time. I know about these two people you mentioned, don't make an example of them. You three can secretly observe and take note of those who can be used from the Donglin Party, I will reuse them in the future, let's just forget about it for now!"
After hearing the words of Emperor Tianqi, Zhou Jiamou's heart was tight. He didn't expect that Emperor Tianqi would guess the affairs of three people at once. With a mix of fear and joy in his heart, it seemed that this emperor was indeed not ordinary.
"Your Majesty, the three of us are bound by a life-and-death friendship. I also hesitated for a long time." Zhou Jiamou felt it necessary to explain, otherwise it might affect his image in the mind of Emperor Tianqi.
Zhou Jiamou looked a bit embarrassed, and the Tianqi Emperor smiled and said: "This is nothing, this won't say anything. Your loyalty, I believe in it, don't think too much about it. The Donglin Party has many talents, but there are also too many moths, I hope you can be more careful, otherwise it will be very troublesome."
"Yes, I understand." Zhou Jiamou still felt a bit ashamed, but he also truly felt the Emperor Tianqi's concern for him, and couldn't help but feel a little moved.
After leaving the palace, Zhou Jiamou's mood was great. After telling Yang Lian and others about it, the three of them were overjoyed. That night, they got drunk.
Things in the world have always been joyful for a few families and worried for a few families. On that side, there are happy voices and laughter, while on this side, there is gloomy cloudiness. In the mansion of Fang Congzhe, the prime minister's chief assistant, this cautious and prudent chief minister was like sitting on pins and needles at this time.
Yesterday's gathering had many people attending, but no results were achieved. The quarrel among the group made the whole gathering hazy and frustrating for Fang Congzhe.
At this time, Fang Zheng had lost all sense of proportion, but in his heart he believed one thing: the Donglin Party was going to gain power. The Tianqi Emperor had appointed many members of the Donglin Party, while his own side was getting weaker by the day. Once he himself was driven out, his old adversary would inevitably return, and at that time these people from the Qi, Zhe, and Chu factions would definitely not have a good end. He naturally did not think that the Donglin Party members would show mercy; party struggles were like two countries at war - countries might still hold peace talks, but party struggles were absolutely not allowed to lose. Losing meant destruction, meant death.
Fang Congzhe was already over 70 years old at this time, he just wanted to be safe himself, as for others, he didn't have the energy to care about them anymore. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter, and he couldn't take care of so many things either. He walked slowly to the back of his desk, picked up his favorite Huzhou pen.
After a moment of hesitation, Fang Zhe finally put down his pen slowly, and this was a letter of resignation.
In the first year of Tianqi, on the sixth day of the first month, when the sun had just risen, the bells and drums were already ringing in unison. The officials of the Ming dynasty walked slowly towards the Qianqing Palace to attend the morning court session. On this normally bustling road to the imperial court, today it seemed unusually quiet, with those ministers who usually liked to gather in twos and threes now acting as if they didn't know each other. Amidst the calm crowd, something seemed to be brewing.
"With His Majesty's arrival," as Chen Hong shouted, the Tianqi Emperor walked slowly into the great hall of the Qianqing Palace, looking at the ministers below him with a faint smile.
"Long live our Emperor, may he live forever!" With this ancient and unchanging cry, all the ministers fell to their knees.
"All of you, please relax! I have been feeling a bit unwell for the past few days and may have been neglecting my duties. Now, bring up any matters that need attention!" Emperor Tianqi said with a smile, speaking loudly.
The Emperor's words were finished, but the grand hall was silent, with no one daring to speak up, as if nothing in the world was worth reporting. All the officials lowered their heads, and some timid officials even began to tremble.
Looking at the expressions of all officials, Tianqi Emperor couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Is it not a tragedy for this country to have these people standing on the court?
"I have a memorial to present." The quiet atmosphere did not last long, as an old voice rang out in the great hall, and instantly the eyes of all the ministers were fixed on this old man with some surprise.
"Ah, Fang Ai Qing! What is it? Speak!" The Tianqi Emperor glanced at Fang Congzhe, then gently picked up a tea cup from the side table, his expression calm as he looked at this chief grand secretary.
"I, in my old age, am able to exist today, thanks to the heavens' pity. Thinking back on the years I've assisted Your Majesty, my body is old and weak, and I'm unable to exert myself. I dare not occupy a position without contributing to its governance, and I hope that Your Majesty will accept my resignation and allow me to return to my hometown." As he spoke, Fang Zhenzhu slowly pulled out a memorial from his sleeve and held it above his head.
The Tianqi Emperor signaled Chen Hong to bring the memorial up, and said: "You have not heard that an old horse is still ambitious at the age of seventy, you are over seventy years old, yet you are a veteran minister of three dynasties, and also a minister entrusted by the previous emperor. I am still young, my reign has just begun, many things still need your assistance on the side, how can you bear to abandon me and go? These two words 'resign from office' must never be mentioned again."
Seeing this scene, the people of Qi Zhe Chu Party slightly breathed a sigh of relief, while the Donglin Party people were solemn-faced. After a brief silence, Sun Shenxing, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."
"Speak." The Tianqi Emperor naturally knew what he was going to say, but at this time it's better for the emperor to pretend to be ignorant.
Today's final chapter, seeking recommendations and collections
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