Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 11 Yang Sichang

"Furthermore, I have consulted with Grand Secretary Wen to discuss a solution to this matter."

"But Elder Wen..."

Zhang Fengyi paused before he could finish speaking.

Even without Zhang Fengyi saying it, Zhu Youjian already knew.

Wen Tiren must be too busy fighting among himself to think of a solution.

Just as Wen Tiren was about to defend himself...

Zhu Youjian immediately interrupted: "I ordered you to serve in the Ministry of War while atoning for your crimes, but you have repeatedly challenged my bottom line. Since you are not fit to be the Minister of War, then let someone else take your place."

"Guards! Drag Zhang Fengyi out and behead him!"

This scene startled Wen Tiren, Tang Shiji, Hou Xun, and others.

Zhang Fengyi was completely dumbfounded.

He repeatedly cried out his innocence: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! Please give me another chance!"

The guards grabbed Zhang Fengyi and dragged him directly outside the hall.

The pleas for mercy gradually faded until they disappeared completely.

The entire Qianqing Palace was so quiet that you could hear everyone breathing.

Just when they thought Zhu Youjian was about to unleash a massacre.

But Zhu Youjian spoke up, saying, "Rise, all of you."

"Zhang Fengyi has been executed for dereliction of duty, and the position of Minister of War is now vacant. Grand Secretary Wen, do you think there is a suitable candidate?"

The Wen Party cannot be allowed to fall for the time being.

At least the Wen Party was established by themselves, so at least they are still controllable.

The core of the Wen Party was Wen Tiren, just like the Yan Party with Yan Song at its core during the Jiajing period, and the eunuch party with Wei Zhongxian at its core during the Tianqi period.

When the key figure falls from power, the entire faction falls with him.

The Donglin Party was different. Its core was the Donglin Academy, a group of people who represented the core ideas and interests of the entire Jiangnan literati, rather than an individual.

It's obvious who is easier to control.

Wen Tiren's mind raced as he tried to decipher the emperor's thoughts.

Should they recommend their own people, or people with practical skills and abilities?

He recalled the reasons why Zhu Youjian executed Zhang Fengyi.

He was to perform his duties while under investigation.

After careful consideration, Wen Tiren made a decision: "Your humble servant recommends Yang Sichang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, to serve as the Minister of War."

Yang Sichang was also someone who did not clearly identify with any political party.

Because of his father's death, he temporarily left the capital to observe mourning.

Yang Sichang is indeed capable of serving as Minister of War. Although he is not the best candidate, at present, no one is more suitable than him.

Yang Sichang was a man of strong opinions, if I remember correctly.

The peasant uprising was contained only because of Yang Sichang's strategic planning.

Li Zicheng was defeated and only eighteen men escaped.

Zhang Xianzhong and others accepted the offer of amnesty.

This temporarily quelled the peasant uprising.

However, while Yang Sichang possessed great strategic vision, his ability to command troops in combat was, to put it mildly, questionable.

"In that case, let us follow Grand Secretary Wen's wishes and promote Yang Sichang, the Right Vice Minister of War, to Minister of War."

"Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been difficult to reconcile. Tell Minister Yang that I need him."

Wen Tiren nodded: "Yes."

"If there's nothing else, you may all leave."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

The crowd bowed and retreated.

……

The group left the Qianqing Palace.

Left Censor-in-Chief Tang Shiji walked to Wen Tiren's side with a solemn expression: "Grand Secretary Wen, I feel something is amiss."

"We have presumptuously overstepped our bounds and attempted to enthrone the Crown Prince. Logically, His Majesty should be furious."

"The factional strife involves the throne, yet His Majesty shows no anger."

"On the contrary, they executed Zhang Fengyi, who was unrelated to them."

Regarding Zhang Fengyi's death,

They were not surprised.

During the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, anyone who made a major mistake in their work was destined to die.

The lowest possible punishment is exile.

As long as Zhang Fengyi remained Minister of War, it meant that Zhu Youjian had not let Zhang Fengyi off the hook.

Zhang Fengyi's abilities were completely unworthy of his position.

Work errors are bound to occur.

Wen Tiren sighed softly: "Before the storm comes, the sea is always calm."

"I can't fathom His Majesty's thoughts either."

The emperor executed Zhang Fengyi.

It's clearly a warning to myself not to forget my job because of partisan strife.

This also proves one thing.

He still has value.

The more the emperor acted this way, the more uneasy he felt.

They wanted to know what the emperor really wanted to do.

We need to figure that out.

During the time the emperor was unconscious.

What exactly happened?

……

Minecraft world.

"Your name is Zhu Yong?" Zhu Youjian's gaze swept over the young man in front of him.

They were all blocky people, but Zhu Yong was a size larger than the other blocky people.

Zhu Yong bowed and said, "This humble subject, Zhu Yong, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Youjian glanced at the remaining members.

It is obvious that

These people are larger than normal blocky people in terms of body size.

"So, are you willing to become a village guard and protect your home?"

Zhu Yong, Zhao Zhu, and the others looked at each other.

The first to respond was the burly Zhu Yong.

"As long as Your Majesty provides enough food, I am willing to become the village's guard and protect the people!"

"As long as His Majesty doesn't delay paying our military wages, that's fine."

Zhou Liang, who was standing nearby, quickly nudged Zhu Yong a couple of times.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yong realized that he had said the wrong thing.

"Your Majesty, I don't mean that you will default on our military pay. We brothers are actually military households who have fled and become refugees. If the court hadn't defaulted on our military pay and the labor was so heavy that we couldn't survive, we wouldn't have fled."

"As long as His Majesty provides enough pay, we'll fight to the death on the battlefield! We won't even flinch!"

Zhu Youjian was the emperor.

The imperial court was also Zhu Youjian's court; the incompetence of the court was, in fact, a reflection of the incompetence of the emperor.

Zhou Liang felt somewhat helpless; wasn't this still mocking the emperor?

Zhu Yong realized the meaning behind his words and teased Zhu Youjian a bit.

He quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I'm not good with words, I'll kowtow to you instead."

That's a pretty direct way to admit a mistake.

Zhu Youjian didn't take it to heart.

He smiled calmly:

"Rest assured, I will not delay your military pay."

"I also hope that each of you can live off my military pay for a hundred years."

"However, the village guards bear the responsibility of protecting the area, which also means that you will face many dangers."

"No matter how much military pay you receive, you only have one life. If you die, you won't get any more military pay."

"While protecting the villagers, you also need to protect yourselves, understand?"

These words surprised Zhu Yong, Zhao Zhu, and the others.

Then, Zhu Yong chuckled.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, we are not so easily killed."

The village guard was also officially established.

There are a total of 32 members.

Zhu Yong was appointed as the team leader, and Zhao Zhu as the deputy team leader.

Zhu Youjian nodded.

"It's nothing, you can go on patrol now."

With the villagers' efforts in building the village, its atmosphere is becoming increasingly vibrant.

However, this village is slightly larger by a "hundred million".

After a brief tour, Zhu Youjian returned to the real world.

Not far away.

Zhu Yong looked in the direction Zhu Youjian had left and said to Zhao Zhu beside him, "Zhu Zi, I think His Majesty is a good person, unlike those corrupt officials who only know how to exploit us."

Zhao Zhu's gaze remained indifferent.

"All officials are hypocritical, and the emperor is no exception."

"They tell us to value our lives, but aren't they just trying to get us to serve them wholeheartedly?"

Zhu Yong turned his head and said, "Zhu Zi, why do you always think so badly of people? I think that as long as His Majesty makes sure we have enough to eat, there's nothing wrong with us risking our lives for him."

"If it weren't for His Majesty, we'd probably still be starving."

Zhao Zhu remained silent; what he said was true.