PFC Chapter 3 Tianqi's Edict of Self-Reproach
Chapter 3 Tianqi's Edict of Self-Reproach
send!
If the dogs don't prosper, I will!
"If I am guilty, it is not for the sake of the people; if the people are guilty, the guilt lies with me!"
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zhu Ming, while fiddling with the Shangtong Inkstone in one hand, spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.
His voice was loud and deep, and every word was clear and easy to hear.
Meanwhile, below, the court assembly had been going on for more than half an hour, with arguments ranging from the amount of disaster relief funds to the reasons for the Wanggongchang disaster, and from the unfounded rumors about the disaster to the attribution of responsibility for the accident.
The six supervising secretaries took turns speaking, each with sharper words and more evasive arguments, but they were all silenced by Zhu Ming's powerful and resounding words, trembling with fear.
After all, in the past few days, black smoke was still billowing from the ruins of Wanggongchang in Beijing, while a flurry of memorials were already flying over to the imperial desk in the Forbidden City.
Just as Zhu Ming had predicted, the Donglin Party members finally realized that they had almost been fooled by the peaceful atmosphere and imposing morale of the Tianqi military parade!
For them, such "natural disasters" are nothing more than a feast of revelry!
Look at what the Ming Dynasty did with its Tianqi Grand Military Parade, which only brought about a natural disaster like a massive explosion!
Isn't this just kicking someone when they're down... ugh... a warning from heaven?
Therefore, the Donglin Party had even more reason to launch a long-planned political offensive.
Excitedly, they worked through the night to grind ink and lay out paper, using the Tianqi Explosion as an excuse to relentlessly attack Wei Zhongxian and denigrate the Ming Dynasty, so as to regain power.
After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"The Tianqi Explosion was a warning from Heaven; it could not have been caused by anything other than the corrupt rule of Wei Zhongxian. I request that Wei Zhongxian be executed!"
"This is both a natural disaster and a man-made calamity; it is not a spontaneous combustion of gunpowder, but a consequence of the eunuch faction's misrule. I request the execution of Wei Zhongxian!"
"Your Majesty, even in death, I will live on. I only wish that Your Majesty will soon awaken to your mistakes, issue an edict of self-reproach, and ensure the eternal stability of the Ming Dynasty. I beg you to execute the eunuch Wei!"
"Heaven is enraged, hence this calamity has been sent as a warning to Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach to atone to Heaven! I request the execution of the eunuch Wei to appease the people!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict of self-reproach!"
"...Your Majesty, I request that Wei the eunuch be executed!"
Of course, while the Donglin Party wanted to execute Wei Zhongxian, they also wanted Emperor Tianqi of the Ming Dynasty to issue an edict of self-reproach!
Zhu Ming knew and had anticipated this upheaval, which led to the forced abdication and the issuance of an edict of self-reproach!
But it must be said that the words and pen of civil officials are sharp weapons for attacking the mind!
They cited classical texts and invoked the theory of the interaction between Heaven and Man, pointing their fingers at the Ming dynasty in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and cursing:
Look, even the heavens are angry! This must be because you blindly trust eunuchs, and because Wei Zhongxian has done so many terrible things.
Moreover, with the national treasury empty right now, why waste resources and manpower on a grand military parade like Tianqi? Even Heaven can't stand it anymore, so it might as well blow it up!
If you don't issue an edict of self-reproach now and get rid of Wei Zhongxian, Heaven will surely punish you again!
Tsk! This is supposed to be the kind of thing a self-proclaimed upright and well-read civil official would say?
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ming wished he could jump off the dragon throne, raise his fist the size of a sandbag, and beat all the Donglin Party members to a pulp, so they wouldn't anger him to death!
Don't be angry, don't be angry, if you get so angry you die, no one will be able to take your throne!
Zhu Ming took a deep breath and said the first sentence.
"There are countless officials in the country. Go and look through the seventeen histories. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, which dynasty or generation has truly been able to properly resettle disaster-stricken people, ensure the supply of food and materials, help restore production order, and fundamentally solve the problem of famine during natural disasters?"
"this....."
The civil and military officials in the hall were all speechless at the question, after all, none of them had thought of this!
No, it's not that they can't think of it, but that all they know is factional infighting, eliminating dissidents, and exploiting disasters to achieve their political gains time and time again!
"Even so, I can only do my best! I must ensure that the innocent people affected by the Wanggongchang explosion have hot meals when they are hungry, houses to live in when they are tired, new clothes to wear when they are dirty, and doctors to treat them when they are sick!"
Zhu Ming continued speaking calmly and unhurriedly.
"Besides, even if Heaven is enraged and sends down a great calamity, so what? As the founding emperor once said: Heaven's will can overcome man, but man's will can also overcome Heaven!"
"Since the explosion, Wei Changchen has taken responsibility upon himself, submitted a memorial requesting to resign from his position as Grand Eunuch, accompanied me to the disaster area to help me appease the people, and donated 30,000 taels of silver for the resettlement of disaster victims and the restoration of production!"
"Tell me, none of you think about disaster relief and serving the country. Your memorials are full of 'Heaven is wrathed, and a great calamity has been sent down'? What about the disaster relief and rescue plans? What about the resettlement of disaster victims? What about the regulations for post-disaster reconstruction? What about the handling of post-disaster epidemic prevention?!"
"Look at you all! Broad shoulders, thick waists, and round buttocks—where is there even a trace of integrity?! You don't know what's important and what's urgent—where is there even a trace of the ability of a capable minister?!"
"Compared to Wei Changchen, do you still have the nerve to say 'treacherous officials ruin the country'?"
"If that's the case, then you can be considered loyal ministers? Then it's a case of 'loyal ministers ruining the country'!"
snort!
Zhu Ming gave a final cold snort, and the incompetent civil officials and censors in the court looked at each other, speechless after being rebuked.
Who is this guy?
Is he still the same timid emperor who only knows how to bury himself in carpentry?
Is he still the puppet emperor who only listens to Wei Zhongxian?
Upon hearing these words, the officials of the Donglin Party blushed and none dared to interrupt.
And Wei Zhongxian? He was deeply moved, never expecting that his emperor would silence all the officials for his sake.
fierce!
So fierce!
This is the emperor he serves!
This is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
"What? You're silent now? I suppose my words have struck right to the souls of you all! I won't say any more!"
After reprimanding him, Zhu Youxiao's gaze fell on Dong Kewei, the Minister of Works.
Dong Kewei had been restless ever since the disaster. After all, Wanggongchang was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works and was responsible for manufacturing armor, cannons and gunpowder. Everyone believed that the earthquake was caused by the failure of the gunpowder depot at Wanggongchang. As the Minister of Works, he could not escape the blame.
Those who have read Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio will know that in the story "Young Master Dong," the protagonist's father, Minister Dong, is Dong Kewei.
In the original history, he was caught in the blast, resulting in broken arms and severe injuries. The Tianqi Emperor dismissed him from his post on this basis. Soon after, Dong Kewei requested retirement and was granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince before returning to his hometown.
This sudden disaster not only severely damaged his health but also ended his political career.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!" Minister of Works Dong Kewei immediately stepped forward, knelt on both knees, his expression remorseful, and his voice hoarse: "Your Majesty, I am guilty! Wanggongchang is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works. This disaster is entirely due to my negligence in supervision; I failed to detect the hidden dangers, causing the people to be displaced and the nation to suffer. I implore Your Majesty to dismiss me from my post as Minister of Works and punish me as a warning to others!"
Dong Kewei's words caused another stir in the hall, and the Donglin Party members immediately seized the opportunity to speak.
Gao Panlong, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was the first to step forward, his voice high-pitched: "Your Majesty, Wanggongchang is the largest gunpowder arsenal in the capital region, storing thousands of tons of gunpowder, and its fate is at stake. Dong Kewei, as a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Works, failed in his supervision, causing this great disaster. How can a mere 'resignation' suffice to resolve this matter?"
Then, Donglin Party officials echoed, "Dong Kewei neglected his duties and deserves to die a thousand deaths. How can he be let off lightly? We implore Your Majesty to punish him severely!"
In the Tianqi Explosion, Zhu Ming, Wei Zhongxian, and Dong Kewei were all the targets of concentrated attacks by the Donglin Party.
In the past few days, there have been quite a few memorials impeaching Dong Kewei.
The reason is simple: he was neither a member of the Donglin Party nor a member of the eunuch faction, so he was basically not involved in party struggles and was considered a pragmatic person.
Moreover, this person was exceptionally capable in history, having copied the "Complete Map of Coastal Defense of the Universe," which meticulously recorded the coastal defenses and territory of the Ming Dynasty.
He's a real talent!
Zhu Ming had no intention of letting such a talented person, such an old man, run away with a bucket.
Moreover, this person could understand the firearms and weapons blueprints drawn by Zhu Ming, and this person could turn Zhu Ming's ideas for modern weapons into real guns and cannons.
When Zhu Ming wanted to build a composite bow, Dong Kewei produced results in three months; when Zhu Ming wanted to improve the gunpowder formula, Dong Kewei led the craftsmen to try it hundreds of times.
So, this man in his sixties wants to retire early? Absolutely not.
As officials, especially those in the Ming Dynasty's Tianqi era, they had to serve the Ming Dynasty until they died!
Zhu Ming had no intention of releasing anyone until the foundation for the Industrial Revolution had been truly laid.
Seeing that the Donglin Party members had jumped out again, Zhu Mingchao gave Wei Zhongxian a wink.
Wei Zhongxian understood immediately.
He then slowly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, although Minister Dong has the responsibility of supervision, this disaster is unusually strange. There is both natural disaster and man-made calamity involved, and it is by no means entirely Minister Dong's fault!"
He knew that Dong Kewei was a key figure in the Ministry of Works, and that many of the Ministry's recent innovations in weapons and tools had been secretly completed under the supervision of this Minister of Works. Zhu Ming also valued him highly, intending to use him to promote workshop innovation and open up the path to industry.
"In the more than two hundred years since the establishment of Wanggongchang Factory, such a calamity has never occurred. The severity of this disaster is such that houses within a three-mile radius have been reduced to dust, stone lions have been thrown outside Xuanwu Gate, and fireballs have soared more than a hundred feet into the air—can this be explained by ordinary gunpowder fire? How can such a celestial event be entirely attributed to one person?"
These words shocked the entire hall.
Wei Zhongxian pleaded for Dong Kewei? When did these two become acquainted?
But Gao Panlong's brows furrowed suddenly. What he sensed was not surprise, but a familiar feeling of being led by the nose.
"A change in the heavens?" Not to be outdone, he sneered, quickly stepped forward, and said without hesitation, "You, Wei Zhongxian, certainly know how to find excuses. What change in the heavens? The Wanggong Factory has tens of thousands of tons of medicine in stock, management is lax, the craftsmen are negligent, and fire control is practically non-existent! This isn't man-made disaster, it's..."
At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
When Gao Panlong got to this point, he saw Wei Zhongxian's lips curl into a smile that was even harder to suppress than an AK, and he was stunned, his expression changing slightly.
He was a smart man, a man who cared about his reputation, a wise minister who possessed talent, and a gentleman who was upright and proud.
Just the other day, he submitted a secret memorial, which subtly mentioned that "the changes in the heavens are awe-inspiring, and the sage's heart should be cultivated." As a virtuous and noble minister, he was certainly not as straightforward as other members of the Donglin Party. He dared not openly ask Zhu Ming to issue an edict of self-reproach, but the meaning was clear to all the officials in the court.
This is a case of wanting to save face while also trying to establish a reputation as a virtuous and upright official.
However, now, provoked by this, and with Wei Zhongxian mentioning the celestial anomaly, his rebellious spirit against the eunuch faction flared up: What else could this be but a man-made disaster? This is just…
It was a man-made disaster...
Man-made disaster...
disaster....