That's right, the Ming Dynasty was also the first dynasty to explicitly state that everyone was equal before the law. It could be said that if the rules set by Zhu Yuanzhang for the Ming Dynasty were to continue to be implemented, the Ming Dynasty would not last less than 300 years.
It was a pity that other than Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, the other emperors were too far behind. Especially after the Tumubao Rebellion, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was almost powerless.
Furthermore, as the number of generals decreased, the power of the civil officials increased. And the Emperor was not tough enough. He was forced back step by step by the civil officials. In the end, the emperor could no longer hold any power.
Especially military power. Any emperor who dared to touch it would die.
However, Zhu Houzhao was not afraid. He already had a way to deal with the civil officials.
"But, even so, Wang Ao doesn't deserve to die. The " Regulations on Interrogation " signed by the late Emperor had explicitly removed the death penalty for corruption. Therefore, Wang Ao should not be sentenced to death." Zhu Budian argued.
Zhu Houzhao sighed when he heard the " Criminal Investigation Regulations ". This regulation was simply a trap for his son. His father was good in everything, but he was too loose and indulgent towards civil officials. This regulation was not only a trap for his son, but it was also a trap for 18 generations of descendants of the Ming Dynasty.
However, Zhu Houzhao had already thought of this. Therefore, he didn't convict Wang Ao of corruption or bribery.
Instead…
"Zhen naturally knows that the Punishment Regulations have abolished the death penalty for corruption, but the reason Zhen wants him to die is because he has no regard for human life! Although he didn't kill them personally, their family only dared to do so because of him. The ancestors were advantageous, and everyone was equal before the law. Imperial Uncle, have you forgotten?" Zhu Houzhao stared at Zhu Budian without backing down.
"Your Majesty…"
Just as Zhu Bujue was about to say something, Cao Zhengchun's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"This old servant Cao Zhengchun greets the emperor!”
"Rise!"
"Thank you, Emperor!"
Cao Zhengchun stood up and looked at Zhu Budian. He pretended to be surprised as if he had just seen him." So the Divine Overlord is here too. Greetings!"”
"Humph!" Zhu Budian did not even look at him. He snorted coldly and turned around.
However, Cao Zhengchun didn't mind. After all, the two of them were like fire and water. It would be strange if he gave them a good look. Moreover, his purpose of coming here was not to see Zhu Bujue!
"Your Majesty, outside the palace gates, the Second Assistant Minister Li Dongyang, the Zhan Minister's Office's Young Minister Yang Tinghe, the Minister of Personnel Ma Dongyang, and the Minister of War Xu Jin are still kneeling outside the palace gates, forcing the abdication.”Cao Zhengchun said with a smile.
Although he was smiling, Zhu Bujue and Zhu Houzhao knew that this person was hiding a knife behind his smile. Moreover, the words he used were not a petition, but a forceful abdication. If the crime of forcing the abdication was confirmed, it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor.
Kill all nine clans!
However, this was also what Zhu Houzhao wanted to do. He had originally wanted to clean up the Imperial Court. Moreover, if Zhu Houzhao remembered correctly, these people had already defected to Zhu Bujue, or rather, the fence-sitters of the neutral party.
However, if he did it himself, he would inevitably be cursed. Although Zhu Houzhao didn't mind, it was good to have fewer.
Cao Zhengchun was here and could take the blame.
"Cao Zhengchun is right. These people are relying on the late emperor's favor to ignore the authority of the Imperial Court and force the abdication without permission. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, what is the crime?" Hence, Zhu Houzhao continued Cao Zhengchun's conversation.
"Replying to the emperor, according to the law, he should be beheaded!”Cao Zhengchun was all smiles, but he was also extremely excited.
The person Zhu ignored was dead, so he was naturally the happiest. However, Zhu Bujue was furious. Many of these people had already joined him. Even if they didn't join, they were still neutral.
If he saved them this time, they would naturally be grateful to him. If he was killed by Cao Zhengchun, wouldn't his goal be in vain?
"Bastard, how dare a eunuch like you spout nonsense? My Ming Dynasty will be destroyed in the hands of you people sooner or later. Your Majesty, this person is spreading heresy to confuse the public. Please behead him to prove the law of the country.”Therefore, Zhu Budian immediately shouted.
"Imperial Uncle, you said to prove the law of the country. Since you value the law of the country so much, you shouldn't have come to persuade me to release Wang Ao. You keep talking about the law of the country, but you ignore the law of the country yourself. I want to ask, what is the law of the country in your heart?”Zhu Houzhao questioned.
"That's right, Divine Overlord. This old servant also wants to know which country's laws you are abiding by.”Cao Zhengchun had a smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with mockery.
"This official…with the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword, this official pleads the emperor. Emperor, please open your mouth and keep the wise and sycophants at a distance!”Zhu Budian knelt down and raised the book and the imperial sword above his head.
"You…Zhu Budian, you have disregarded the trust the late emperor had in you. The late emperor ordered you to assist me and gave you the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword, not for you to cover up evil. You…have insulted the late emperor's trust in you, the pill book, the iron coupon, and the imperial sword.”Zhu Houzhao pretended to be angry, but he was overjoyed. Because he had finally found a suitable reason.
"Men, take back the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword. These two items were given to impartial people, not to people who indiscriminately shielded criminals!”
Zhu Houzhao shouted and two eunuchs immediately came in to snatch Zhu Bujue's book and sword. Although Zhu Bujue was furious, he did not dare to resist.
This was the difference between an official and an emperor. No matter how much the former emperor gave you, the emperor would just accept it if he said so.
"Men, pass on my orders. Li Dongyang, Yang Tinghe, Ma Wendong, and Xu Jin ignored the emperor's kindness and did not distinguish between loyalty and treachery. They intended to force the emperor to abdicate-death penalty! However, I have shown mercy on them for assisting the late emperor. Li Dongyang, Yang Tinghe, Ma Wendong and Xu Jin are now deprived of their official positions and demoted to civilians.”
Zhu Houzhao said immediately after receiving Zhu Bujue's pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword. The reason why he tolerated these people for so long was actually to set a trap for Zhu Bujue. It was to take away his imperial sword and the pill book iron coupon.
Otherwise, with their actions, Zhu Houzhao would have long stripped them of their official positions. He wanted to let everyone know that the Ming Dynasty belonged to the Zhu family and Zhu Houzhao. Only the emperor had the final say in everything, not the ministers.
"This old servant obeys the decree, this old servant will personally do it!”
This made Cao Zhengchun extremely happy. From now on, he had much less fear of Zhu Bujue. Without the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword, Zhu Bujue did not need to be afraid.
This book comes from:m.funovel.com。