I'm really not the carpenter emperor

The emperor always asked himself and the eunuchs to discuss such a major matter of supplementing the cabinet ministers, but this time, there was no one around the emperor.

He looked back, only to see the lonely but solid figure of the emperor in Maoqin Hall.

Now he also understands that the Son of Heaven knew his role as early as the beginning, and now that the Son of Heaven has grown up and holds great power, it is not for him to speculate.

The emperor asked him to come out, the emperor seemed to say it casually, but to Wei Zhongxian's ears, it seemed to have a lot of meaning, as if he was implying something.

All these conjectures made him walk deeper and deeper on the road, until his scalp became numb.

For the first time, Wei Zhongxian was not sure whether what he had done for the emperor was right or wrong.

Watching Wei Zhongxian leave, Zhu Youxiao put the book back in the bookcase, his eyes moved slightly, he stood with his hands behind his back, and quietly ordered:

"Tell Wei Guangwei and Zhang Shize."

Chapter 433 Wei Guangwei's Final Test

While waiting for the two of them to come, Zhu Youxiao walked back to the imperial case, opened a book of memorials, and looked at it quietly.

This first one is about the famine in a certain place in Henan last month.

This is the most common thing happening at the moment. Now every month, Zhu Youxiao receives seventy or eighty reports of famine or disasters from various places.

It's just that the timeline at the end of the third year of the apocalypse is still early, and most of the famines in various places are limited to the county, and there has not been any major famine that has swept across the province.

By that time, there will be hungry people everywhere.

"Send over the first batch of sweet potatoes from Jifu this year. Anyway, this thing can't be stored for too long. If there is a famine in various places in the future, the sweet potatoes must be shipped over first, and the silver grain for disaster relief will be second."

Wang Chaofu was puzzled, how did His Majesty know that sweet potatoes cannot be stored for too long, but he didn't ask, just nodded silently to mark it down.

Zhu Youxiao didn't say anything, and then opened the second book.

The second book is about a happy event, which was jointly played by Liaodong governor Hong Chengchou and Liaodong economic strategist Xiong Tingbi. It is said that according to the scout report, Nurhachi seems to have relapsed after the last battle and stayed in a place called Nuannuan Town all day long. .

Obviously, Nu Chief is recuperating there.

The memorial also mentioned that Mao Wenlong, who had won a lot of money in Hetuala not long ago, was leading the generals to discuss the battle strategy for days, and seemed to want to do something new.

He hasn't played yet, so Zhu Youxiao naturally won't be in a hurry to ask.

Although Mao Wenlong had many problems, keeping him in Phi Island was beneficial in terms of the overall strategy, and if the Dongjiang army was outside without the help of the imperial court, it would indeed be in a difficult situation.

The memorial also said that the current situation in Liaodong is very good.

With the victory over Yu Wei and the cooperation of Duoyan, Fuyu, and Taining Sanwei, Xiong Tingbi, the economic strategist of Liaodong, is planning to completely regain the lost land in Liaodong before next year.

It seems that my idea of ​​using Hong Chengchou as the imperial court and Xiong Tingbi as the main battle has come true, and it is working.

Although Hong Chengchou couldn't understand Xiong Tingbi's bad temper, one of them stayed in Liaoyang and the other moved to Haizhou, basically out of sight and out of mind.

They are all people who have a big picture, and they will not stumble at critical moments.

As the governor of Liaodong, Hong Chengchou was much stronger than the previous Yuan Yingtai. On the one hand, he recruited exiles, and on the other hand, he resettled the first batch of refugees from the Central Plains who left the customs, about 12 people.

Zhu Youxiao closed the notebook and thought about it quietly.

To be honest, the number of people who left the customs in the first batch was much smaller than Zhu Youxiao expected.

It seems that in this era, there are indeed very few people who are willing to drag their families out to live a new life, let alone most people who talk about the outside of the Great Wall.

12 people is better than nothing.

As for the other refugees, some new policies can be issued, and the rest is to let nature take its course, there is no need to drag and drop.

Only when the proportion of Han people in Liaodong increased, could they reclaim the land and stabilize the frontier.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youxiao smiled, and was about to read the next book, but Wang Chaofu, who was standing at the door, said softly:

"Master, the young master and Mr. Ge are here."

"Invite them in."

Zhu Youxiao still opened the memorial, but he didn't think about it. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of two people coming in, and ordered casually:

"You are here, give me a seat."

It was not the British Duke Zhang Weixian who came, but the little British Duke Zhang Shize, who was in his twenties, the last British Duke who led his troops to fight to the death when Li Chuang entered the capital city.

This person's ability has not yet been seen, but Zhu Youxiao is not worried at all about his loyalty.

When I wanted him to be in charge of the clan mansion, I wanted to train him in advance.

"How are the candidates for the cabinet, how are you preparing?" Zhu Youxiao said this to Wei Guangwei, the cabinet deputy.

This person used to be Donglin, but he was regarded as a victim of the political struggle by the Donglin Party, and later he took refuge in the name of Wei Zhongxian, calling him "Wei Father", which can be described as a hardcore eunuch.

But recently Wei Guangwei has become very sensible. He has gradually moved away from Wei Zhongxian, and he no longer hears the affectionate address of "Father Wei".

According to the official report, Wei Guangwei now even pays respect to Wei Zhongxian in private and keeps a certain distance.

It was precisely because of these that Zhu Youxiao planned to give Wei Guangwei a chance.

Zhu Youxiao actually didn't plan to use the list of cabinet additions this time, because he had other candidates in mind, mainly because he wanted to see the mind of the future chief assistant.

Wei Guangwei also realized the importance of this to his future life, and respectfully submitted a memorial, saying:

"At the beginning, I plan to add six cabinet ministers to the cabinet. This is the list. Please read it, Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao didn't look at it when he picked it up, and he was still on the case, but got up and moved around, and said with a smile: "I've been here for a long time, let's go out with me for a walk."

The two didn't dare to say anything, they just followed behind in a muffled voice.

At this time, even the royal garden in the palace doesn't have that kind of Yingyingyanyan feeling, but because the eunuchs have taken good care of it, I still feel refreshed and happy when walking in it.

One monarch and two ministers walked about a hundred meters, and came to a small pavilion. As soon as Zhu Youxiao took his seat, the palace servants with him served the imperial tea.

At this time, Wei Guangwei, who had been watching for a long time, suddenly said:

"In the old days, there were two cabinet ministers. Except for the ministers, Wang Zaijin was mostly a nominal person. He was in charge of politics in Nanjing all the year round and did not sit in the cabinet. Now many government affairs in the cabinet are decided by one minister, and the ministers are afraid."

Looking up and peeping, he found that the emperor was casually looking at the surrounding flowers and plants. Wei Guangwei felt relieved and continued:

"The eight-member cabinet, according to the previous regulations, is one more person. But this dynasty has its own practices, and your majesty has his majesty's holy judgment. I think it is better to add seven people."

Zhu Youxiao looked very leisurely, eating snacks and drinking tribute tea, half listening.

But in fact, every word Wei Guangwei said, he heard it in his heart.

It wasn't until the last sentence was finished that Zhu Youxiao got up and didn't answer anything, but kept teasing Zhang Shize who couldn't get in the way.

Since Gu Bingqian resigned and Han Yu returned to his care, only Wei Guangwei, who joined the cabinet last year, was really left in the cabinet. For him, this was a time of high prestige, but it was also an extremely dangerous time.

Fang Congzhe's fate of being alone in the last years of Wanli is still vivid in his memory. Those powerful ministers in the cabinet, such as Zhang Juzheng, basically will not end well.

Wei Guangwei can hear rumors that he will be the next chief assistant every day, which makes him feel like sitting on pins and needles in this position!

It is a lie to say that you don't want to be the chief minister of the cabinet.

Being the chief assistant of the cabinet will definitely leave a name in history. This is the pinnacle of being a minister. Before the Ming Dynasty, this was the prime minister of the dynasty!

But at the same time, countless eyes are staring at this position, it's sour and smelly, they don't have the ability to come up, so they use their abilities to pull you down with all their might, ruining your reputation!

In this position, opportunities and risks coexist. If you shrink back at this time in life, can you still be called a man?It was a waste of time!

After returning to the gate of Maoqin Hall, Zhu Youxiao walked up two stone steps, and suddenly turned his head and said:

"The top priority of the imperial court is how to govern Liaodong after regaining it. You should go back and think about it, and then write a book and submit it to me."

Chapter 434 Slashing Yuan Chonghuan

Wei Guangwei went back to the cabinet signing room, looked at the noisy room in the past, but now it was empty, and sighed heavily.

The Apocalypse Dynasty has only been three years old, and the first assistant in the cabinet is Ye Xianggao, then Han Yu, and it will be his turn soon.

He also understands that now that Donglin has fallen and Wei Zhongxian has been beaten, the eunuch party has lost its role of checking and balancing the court, and instead some one family dominates.

What the emperor needs is no longer to sit firmly in the cabinet, but to be the chief assistant of the cabinet as a peacemaker, what he needs is a capable minister who is willing to do things and dare to do things.

Wei Guangwei didn't know if he was capable enough, but he decided to try.

Life is alive, who wants to live that kind of ordinary life?

Wei Guangwei still has a lot of affairs to deal with. As the only cabinet minister at the moment, he has to personally take care of many things.

He opened a question book on the table and read it quietly.

This night, the cabinet was brightly lit, as was the interrogation room of the Forbidden City and the Ministry of Punishment. Yuan Chonghuan, who had repeatedly disobeyed the imperial decree, was going to be interrogated for the last time tonight.

This interrogation will determine his outcome.

The presiding officer Cui Chengxiu is a member of the eunuch party, and he has always followed Wei Zhongxian's lead. He is jealous and hates the group of Donglin party members who claim to be noble.

Many people understand that the emperor chose Cui Chengxiu as the chief judge, but he didn't want Yuan Chonghuan to live at all.

Li Yangzheng, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, has a special status, but he was able to stand alone in the major scientific research case that swept the court not long ago, because of his indifference in dealing with others.

Although he felt that Yuan Chonghuan was a pity in his heart, he didn't show it at all.

Cui Chengxiu patted the gavel and shouted: "The sinners in the hall can be convicted!"

"The lower official is not guilty!" Yuan Chonghuan replied.

Cui Chengxiu seemed to have known that he would continue to be so stubborn, sneered and said:

"You were ordered to go out of customs. During the war, you repeatedly resisted the order and almost missed the overall situation of Liao affairs. Now you are punished for several crimes. It is hard to shirk your responsibility!"

"In this Ministry of Criminal Justice, the judge is in charge of the trial, so it is natural to distinguish right from wrong!"

Yuan Chonghuan looked at Cui Chengxiu as if looking at a stinky mouthful of shit, and replied with a sneer:

"I started from the field and was recommended by the emperor's teacher. Since ancient times, I have not accepted orders from foreign emperors. Besides, the victory in the Liao Dynasty is great. Why should I blame me?"

Cui Chengxiu was furious when he heard the words, and slapped the gavel again.

"The Holy Majesty's use is not to listen to the words of the emperor's teacher, but to cherish the talents around you. It is the Holy Majesty who cherishes talents and distinguishes right from wrong. Don't you want to take advantage of it and act obediently, pretending to be stupid in front of this official!"

As he spoke, Cui Chengxiu swept away the testimonies of a group of Ningyuan military generals on the table, and said loudly: "You were ordered to prepare Ningyuan's army for half a year. You didn't even think about fighting and retreating the enemy, you clearly deliberately avoided fighting!"

"Yuan Chonghuan, it's a well-known fact that you seek skin from a tiger and act as a traitor to the country! The matter has come to this, what are you still trying to distinguish here?"

Cui Chengxiu came down and sneered at him again and again:

"Don't think about the emperor's teacher coming to save you. The emperor's teacher returned to Beijing the day before yesterday to face the saint, and he left the customs early yesterday morning. No one will save you. Give up your heart!"

Yuan Chonghuan's heart stopped beating, and an ominous premonition enveloped his heart, and he subconsciously said:

"Seeking skins from tigers, where does this come from?"

Cui Chengxiu didn't answer directly, but changed the subject, walked back and asked: "I ask you, why do you repeatedly resist the order, saying that the food and grass are not ready, so you can't go to the battle?"

"The official sent someone to Ningyuan City to ask, and the food and grass were clearly sufficient for those few days!"

"You, Minister of the Ministry of War, I'm afraid you don't understand military affairs at all?" Yuan Chonghuan said sarcastically:

"At that time, Fuyuwei's battle was unknown, and the soldiers and people were afraid of the captives. Talking about the captives, they were about to be defeated. If they couldn't fight, would they still go out and voluntarily die?"

Cui Chengxiu really doesn't know anything about military affairs, but the general situation is still clearer than his predecessor Zhang Heming. He had expected Yuan Chonghuan to use this as an excuse, his eyes tightened, and he shouted:

"Before the winger arrived, the imperial court repeatedly ordered that this war must attack Jianlu in order to preserve Fuyu's three guards. You, a guilty minister, dare to say war but can't, and he is full of excuses for fear of war!"

Yuan Chonghuan retorted and said: "Your Majesty has never led an army in the court, and he doesn't know the situation in Liaodong at all. Could it be that I went to lead Ningyuan's elite troops to fight to the death, fighting for the reputation of being a martyr for the country, so I am not afraid of war?"

Cui Chengxiu got up angrily and waved back to the court.

This time, the interrogation still ended with Yuan Chonghuan's strong arguments, and it seemed that it was a dead end, but many sharp-eyed people had already noticed the difference.

When Wei Zhongxian came back from the palace the day before yesterday, something seemed to have happened, and he conveyed a meaning, that is, to solve Yuan Chonghuan as soon as possible.

When many members of the eunuch party heard what he meant, they all became anxious at once. It seemed that there was no longer any delay. It was time to convict and decapitate Yuan Chonghuan!

Prison prison.

The afterglow of the western sun seeping from the crevices of the stone shone on the face of Yuan Chonghuan, who had been imprisoned here for a long time. At this moment, two tears dripped down his cheeks.

"Your Majesty listens to the treacherous villain, and does not listen to the advice of loyal ministers!"

Yuan Chonghuan was about to get up, but he lost all strength due to the indifference he had suffered in the past few days, and fell to the ground suddenly. Seeing him like this, the two yamen servants in the aisle turned a blind eye and laughed again and again.

Yuan Chonghuan fell into the muddy prison, his hands were covered with mud, and he still murmured:

"The victory of the captives this time was just a fluke. We can only use our national strength to build the city and gradually recover the lost ground. Xiong Tingbi's aggressive advances with such fanfare will only repeat the same mistakes!"

"Liaoshen will definitely fall, and the people's admiration and anointment over the years have all been used to support the enemy!"