noffsinger Chapter 734 The faint king
Chapter 734 The faint king
Chapter 734 The Tyrant
On this day, the leaders of the Donglin Party gathered at Zheng Sanjun's residence to hold the Donglin Party Congress.
Zheng Sanjun held the Hanshan Weekly in his hands and read softly: "I never expected that some high-ranking officials of the court would be so lawless as to be completely out of control. Take the former Grand Secretary Wen Tiren and the Minister of Rites Qian Qianyi for example."
These two are both important ministers of the court, deeply trusted by me, yet how have they repaid me? Not only have they been corrupt and embezzled, but they have also colluded with the Manchus, betraying their country for personal gain. I am furious and wish I could skin them alive!
However, considering their past loyalty to the country, I dismiss them from their posts, strip them of their official positions, and banish them to the common people forever.
"Sigh..." Zheng Sanjun sighed, he really couldn't read any further. How could the emperor be becoming more and more like Wang Wenzhou? It was simply too shameless.
Zheng Sanjun said angrily, "The Emperor is using the mad dog Wang Wenzhou to attack our Donglin Party members. The Hanshan Weekly is also being used by the Emperor. This time, the Emperor personally wrote a letter to denounce him. Not only is Lord Qian's reputation ruined, but our Donglin Party is also deeply affected. Fellow colleagues, how should we deal with this?"
Minister of Rites Xie Sheng thought for a moment and then asked, "Was this the Emperor's doing, or was he misled by Wang Wenzhou?"
Just then, the Zheng family's steward entered the room and said, "Master, there is someone outside with Wang Wenzhou's visiting card requesting an audience."
Qian Shisheng said coldly, "What is he doing here?"
Zheng Sanjun thought for a moment and said, "I also feel that Wang Wenzhou and the Emperor are not of one mind now. The one who really wants to suppress my Donglin Party is not Wang Wenzhou, but the Emperor. Wang Wenzhou is just a mad dog released by the Emperor."
A short while later, the Zheng family's steward led Dayuer into the room.
Today, Da Yu'er was dressed as a scholar. She cupped her hands to the crowd and said with a smile, "Greetings, esteemed gentlemen. I am Wang Wenzhou's concubine. I have come on behalf of my husband to deliver a few words to you all."
"Hmph!" Zheng Sanjun said coldly, "Why didn't Wang Wenzhou come in person if he had something to say? This cowardly behavior is truly the act of a petty person!"
The Donglin Party leaders present all looked displeased. They felt that Wang Wenzhou had gone too far. All of them were of equal status to Wang Wenzhou, yet he sent a woman to give orders. Was this appropriate?
Da Yu'er cupped her hands in greeting and said helplessly, "Please don't be angry, my husband really can't get away."
"It's just an excuse. Are we three-year-olds?" Zheng Sanjun said irritably.
Da Yu'er said with a wry smile, "Lord Zheng, what I'm saying is the truth. My husband and I are temporarily staying in the palace. On the surface, it seems that the Emperor and my husband have reconciled, but in reality, the Emperor is keeping my husband under house arrest in the palace. Now, no matter where my husband goes, he is always accompanied by the Emperor's spies, which is why I was sent to deliver this message."
Zheng Sanjun nodded and asked, "What does Wang Wenzhou want to say?"
Da Yu'er replied, "My husband does not want to be enemies with the Donglin Party, and most of the things that happened in the past were not his own intention. This time, his rampant slander of Lord Qian Qianyi's reputation is also done on imperial orders."
"Haha!" Zheng Sanjun laughed loudly, "What? Wang Wenzhou still wants to distance himself? With his personality, why would he care about our Donglin Party?"
Da Yu'er quickly said, "Lord Zheng, my husband complained to you about his troubles at the Dali Temple that day, but I didn't expect that you still don't believe him."
"Hmph!" Zheng Sanjun snorted coldly. Although he didn't believe it on the surface, he knew in his heart that Wang Wenzhou had his reasons.
Da Yu'er spoke up, "Last night, my husband had a long talk with Lord Qian Qianyi and was deeply convinced of the ideals of the Donglin Party, that the world belongs to all people."
"Huh?" Zheng Sanjun and the others were all dumbfounded. They didn't quite believe that Qian Qianyi could persuade Wang Wenzhou, this mad dog.
Da Yu'er continued, "Now the Emperor is using my husband as a pawn, and my husband has no choice but to comply. As you all can see, the Emperor is eager to crack down on the Donglin Party. My husband said that if you want to fight back, you can imitate the Emperor's methods and slander his reputation."
"Hmph!" Qian Shisheng snorted coldly and said angrily, "Traitorous scoundrel, get out!"
Da Yu'er smiled slightly and said softly, "The world belongs to all people. Is the ideal of your Donglin Party just a slogan?"
Zheng Sanjun waved his hand at Qian Shisheng, looked at Dayuer, and solemnly said, "Our Donglin Party has always been loyal to the emperor and loved the country. How could we do such a treasonous thing?"
Da Yu'er said disdainfully, "My husband is right, you Donglin Party members are all hypocrites. I would like to ask you all a question: do you think the current emperor is a wise and virtuous ruler?"
The Donglin Party leaders all looked solemn. They couldn't reply to these words. They also felt that Zhu Youjian was a worthless person, but they simply couldn't bring themselves to say it.
Da Yu'er said passionately, "When imperial power is supreme, the fate of a country is in the hands of one person. If the emperor is a good emperor, diligent in governing and loving the people, it is a blessing for the people. But what if he is a foolish ruler?"
Just like the Ming Dynasty at this time, it was beset by internal and external troubles, the people were suffering, and the country was on the verge of collapse! Was the Ming Dynasty like this before the current emperor ascended the throne?
The Ming Dynasty is in such a state now; isn't it all the result of Zhu Youjian's sins?
Zheng Sanjun waved his hand and asked coldly, "Stop uttering such treasonous words. I ask you, what exactly does Wang Wenzhou want to do?"
Da Yu'er spoke up: "During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, he did not attend court for thirty years, yet our Great Ming Dynasty remained peaceful and prosperous, and its military was strong. My husband's point is that if you truly love your country, you should not sit idly by and watch a tyrannical and incompetent ruler rule."
Even if you don't want to bear the infamy of regicide, you can still sideline Zhu Youjian! In fact, you can all see that even if the Donglin Party doesn't retaliate, Zhu Youjian is eager to eliminate them!
Zheng Sanjun and the others were all terrified. Wang Wenzhou, that mad dog, was too audacious! He actually instigated them to rebel!
"Hehe!" Da Yu'er sneered, "My husband is right, you Donglin Party members are all effeminate! Even if you don't think about yourselves, you should at least think about the people of the world."
From when did the people begin to suffer? From when did rebellions erupt across the Ming Dynasty? From when did the Manchus beyond the Great Wall rebel and declare themselves emperors?
When else could we begin? Of course, we should begin when Zhu Youjian ascends the throne! But Zheng Sanjun and the others didn't want to answer, because saying that would be tantamount to accepting Wang Wenzhou's suggestion.
Da Yu'er cupped her hands and said, "Everyone, I have finished speaking. I will take my leave now! Before I leave, I will say one more thing: if you wish to retaliate, you should imitate Zhu Youjian's methods and slander his reputation. That would be the best course of action."
After Da Yu'er left, the leaders of the Donglin Party discussed countermeasures, arguing heatedly. They were not stupid; even if Wang Wenzhou hadn't sent Da Yu'er, they knew that Zhu Youjian had already begun to crack down on the Donglin Party.
However, they did not want to be branded as disloyal, so in the end, for the benefit of the Donglin Party, Zheng Sanjun defied public opinion and decided to fight back!