Chapter 4, Ministers Speak Frankly
Han Luan calmed his mind, nodded slightly, and then revealed a smile as he looked at Wang Cheng'en and said: "Master Wang, shall we leave the palace now?"
At this moment, the Son of Heaven is bypassing the Cabinet to issue a decree. What could this possibly mean?
This ... ...
Even if we are currently facing the threat of invaders, it is not appropriate to issue the so-called decree for suppressing chaos and saving the nation at a time when public sentiment is so unsettled
Wang Cheng'en responded with a smile and said very solemnly.
Han Luan, Li Biao, and others immediately responded, yet they all harbored doubts in their hearts. Why were they in the cabinet unaware of such an imperial edict from the Son of Heaven
Upon hearing these words, the ministers performed a bow and responded in unison.
The emotionally agitated ministers, upon witnessing this scene, were all taken aback. Their intention in speaking was to have Wang Cheng'en convey their words to the Emperor
We, the ministers, have received the imperial decree
Currently, the national dynasty is facing turmoil, and the invading forces could breach the borders at any moment, threatening places such as Zunhua and Santunying. As the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, Han Luan undoubtedly bears responsibility
Indeed! Even if this decree is issued, commanding the troops from Tianjin, Denglai, Dongjiang, and other regions to undertake the mission of quelling the chaos and saving the nation, it still cannot address the immediate crisis! In the current situation, we should immediately order Yuan Chonghuan to lead his troops back to assist and coordinate the overall resistance against the invading forces!
Your Majesty has decreed
How could they possibly engage in such self-destructive actions
Since the eunuch faction was purged during the Tianqi era, my fervent aspirations have found no outlet. It has only been a short time since my reinstatement, and I have finally managed to secure the position of Chief Minister.
The pressing priority at this moment is to advise Your Majesty to return to the Wenhua Hall to govern the state
On the cabinet side, the ministers led by Han Luan are indeed bearing immense pressure, as the current situation cannot afford any delays
Han Luan was momentarily taken aback; he did not know how to respond.
At present, during this tumultuous time of the national dynasty, you must take charge of the overall situation
Han Luan furrowed his brow and said: "Given the current situation, Your Majesty has not yet established a solid foundation. Even if we are anxious, can we truly resolve it?"
Upon seeing this, Wang Cheng'en furrowed his brows slightly, recalling the instructions given by his emperor. He did not pay much attention to the details, but directly handed the imperial edict to Han Luan, then turned and walked towards the Qianqing Gate.
The special relationship between Han Ru and Yuan Chonghuan, coupled with Han Ru's background in the Donglin Party, resulted in other cabinet ministers being reluctant to intervene excessively in this matter
Within the hall, the ministers Zhou Daodeng, He Ruchong, Qian Xiangkun, and others were either seated, standing, or deep in thought, and none had responded to the words spoken by Han Luan
Your Majesty, due to your concerns over the current military situation, you have made such erroneous decisions. As loyal subjects of the Ming Dynasty, we must not allow Your Majesty to commit such mistakes.
The attendant of the Central Secretariat hurriedly entered the Wenhua Hall and cupped his hands in salute to Han Luan
The ministers of the cabinet, who had already seen Wang Cheng'en enter, had long since stood up, yet they could not help but feel a sense of doubt in their hearts
Currently, the situation in Northern Zhili is tumultuous. The invading forces have bypassed the defense line of Guan Jin and Ning, which was supervised by Yuan Chonghuan. This undoubtedly represents a significant upheaval for the Ming Dynasty
Li Biao was taken aback
The officials of the Six Ministries, the Academy, and the Circuit are all present, currently waiting quietly outside the Wenhua Hall
This ... ...
Many ministers stood behind Han Luan, expressing their righteous indignation at this moment
Upon hearing what Wang Cheng'en had said, each person was taken aback and hurried to Wang Cheng'en's side, performing a bow and responding: "We, your subjects, have received your command!"
The court is abuzz with discussions regarding this matter
Seeing the Zhongshu Sheren stationed by Han Luanming, he went to summon the people over. Li Biao stepped forward, a smile on his face, and said to Wang Cheng'en: "Master Wang, His Majesty has summoned the ministers to the Wenhua Hall to announce a decree. Is there some important matter at hand?"
Wang Cheng'en held a whisk and spoke with an expression of calm detachment
Li Biao's expression was grave as he looked at the silent Han Luan and said, "However, the court has yet to present any regulations, and Your Majesty has not left the Qianqing Palace."
Scholar Li, you have gained the trust of His Majesty. Could you present a memorial to the Emperor to offer counsel? The memorial I submitted previously was not heeded by His Majesty
"Han Yuanfu, in accordance with the imperial decree, after the cabinet receives the edict, shall promptly convey the imperial instruction, which will be dispatched to Tianjin, Denglai, Dongjiang, and other places." Wang Cheng'en, holding the imperial edict, approached Han Luan, whose expression had changed dramatically, and said calmly
However, the so-called edict to quell the rebellion and save the nation is something they dare not easily disclose, for otherwise it would surely cause great upheaval in the court, and at that time, they would undoubtedly be implicated themselves
Wang Cheng'en stepped forward and said to Han Luan: "Han Yuanfu, it is best to send someone quickly to summon the sitting officials to Wenhua Hall to receive the imperial edict."
At this moment, the Wenhua Hall was enveloped in a profound silence
Is it related to the matter of returning to Gyeonggi?
At this moment, Wang Cheng'en, holding a whisk, walked slowly into the Wenhua Hall with an expression that revealed no joy or sorrow, followed by a group of eunuchs.
Ministers Han Luan, Li Biao, and others, with their sleeves lifted, followed Wang Cheng'en out of the Wenhua Hall, and then quickly walked towards the front of the neatly arranged procession.
In order to consolidate power, Emperor Chongzhen meticulously planned and did not attend to state affairs in the Wenhua Hall for several days. Since ascending the throne, this had never occurred before.
Central purpose
... ...
Hmm," Wang Cheng'en nodded in response
At present, such a situation has arisen; if it is truly due to the matter of the border bandits that I am dismissed from the position of Chief Minister, Han Luan feels deeply unwilling in his heart
We, the ministers, have received the imperial decree
Should we still dismiss Han Luan
Han Luan, suppressing the horror within, hurriedly cupped his hands in salute and said: "Very well, Lord Wang, please wait a moment. I will immediately dispatch the Secretary of the Central Secretariat to summon the people here."
As he glanced at his surroundings, including Zhu and others, Han Luan furrowed his brows, feeling utterly miserable.
The usually easygoing Wang Cheng'en is now unwilling to reveal even a hint of information
Indeed! I shall gather at the Qianqing Gate immediately, to request an audience with Your Majesty. I implore Your Majesty to retract this decree, for summoning the garrison at the Guanjin Ning border is the only viable solution at this moment
Would this assistant not be aware of these matters
The ministers who had come from outside the Wenhua Hall, upon hearing this edict, were all filled with astonishment, displaying expressions of disbelief, unable to accept what they had just heard
Upon meeting with Han Luan and other cabinet ministers, he proclaimed loudly: "The Emperor's verbal decree."
At present, the Korean Yuanfu has reported that the enemy has breached Longjing Pass and Daankou, and in just a few days, several memorials have been submitted to the court from the Jizhen area.
Li Biao did not respond to what Han Luan had said, silently sitting down on his official hat chair
Setting aside other matters, let us speak solely of the Jingji region, which is already troubled by the threat of the Jianlu invaders. The people's hearts are in turmoil; if we do not devise strategies to stabilize their minds, a great chaos is bound to arise
Well
As Sun Chengzong stated, the ministers in the court, led by Han Luan, upon hearing this edict, had an initial reaction of resistance, seeking to offer counsel against it
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since I ascended the throne, I fear that the two vice-ministers of the Ming Dynasty, with their heavy responsibilities, may have made errors under my command, thus failing the illustrious ancestors of the Ming Dynasty
This edict cannot be issued! The current situation is already unstable, and the threat from the Jurchens is significant. However, our Ming Dynasty should not be unable to cope with such a minor threat as the Jurchens. How can Your Majesty act in this manner!
Upon arriving at the morning assembly, Wang Cheng'en received the presented imperial edict, unfolded it, and proclaimed it aloud.
Why has Wang Cheng'en, who often accompanies the Emperor, come to the Wenhua Palace at this time
But now that Wang Cheng'en has left, what use is there in discussing these matters
or is it about the revival of Sun Chengzong
However, sitting idly like this is not a solution. Once the invaders break into the capital, it will undoubtedly be a catastrophe for the Ming Dynasty
Han Luan sat in the official's hat chair, seeing Li Biao and the others in this manner, his brows furrowed tightly, and an anger arose in his heart. How could he not know the thoughts of the people present in the hall before him
Faced with the assembly of officials speaking out collectively, Han Luan, Li Biao, and other ministers of the cabinet could only feel a wave of headache; they had not anticipated that such a situation would arise before them
Lord Li, you will know about this matter shortly
In the presence of the summoned ministers, Wang Cheng'en recited with great eloquence the edict written by Emperor Chongzhen regarding the suppression of chaos and the salvation of the nation
In the Wenhua Hall, the ministers present, including Zhou Daodeng and He Ruchong, could not help but ponder in their hearts
Thus, the six ministries, the examination, and the Dao officials convened in the Wenhua Hall to receive the imperial decree
Wang Cheng'en nodded slightly and then walked towards the palace exit. At present, the situation in North Zhili is critical, and as a result, there are fewer demands regarding certain ceremonial protocols.