Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 380 Ming Chen
In the Taihe Hall of the Guangzhou Imperial Palace, Qu Shisi and Jiao Lian led the civil and military officials of the court to stand in the hall. The whips were cracked, and today's grand court officially began.

The ministers in the hall bowed and saluted. After they stood up, no one spoke.
Everyone stood in the train with solemn expressions. Everyone knew that there was only one thing to be dealt with in the court today.

At the entrance of the main hall, Leng Sengji, wearing a black court robe with a crane pattern, led five members of the Qing Dynasty delegation into the hall.
The ministers in the hall looked at Leng Sengji's black court robes, and a trace of disgust flashed in their eyes.

Leng Sengji had a normal expression on his face. He walked into the hall and bowed to the envoys.
"The Qing Dynasty's envoys, Chief Envoy Leng Sengji, Deputy Envoys Li Wen and Luo Shi, pay their respects to His Royal Highness Gui, the Regent of the Ming Dynasty."

Leng Sengji and the others bowed their heads slightly and waited for a moment. Seeing no sound coming from above, they stood up without waiting for any orders from above.
Leng Sengji Luoshi and others looked calm, but Li Wen looked at the angry ministers in the hall with a nervous expression on her face.
Li Wen lowered her head, not wanting anyone to notice her presence

But at this time, there were five people in the Qing Dynasty delegation in the palace. Four of them were not from the Central Plains just by hearing their names. Only Li Wen was a Han Chinese. How could the ministers in the palace not notice Li Wen?
Leng Sengji glanced at the cold-looking Ming court officials in the hall and was about to speak, but at this time, a man in a green Xiezhi official robe from the left side of the court walked out first.

After the Imperial Censor Chen Jiamo stepped out, he glanced coldly at the Qing envoys beside him and said in a cold voice:
"I, Peng Yao, the Censor of the Inspectorate, impeach the Ministry of Rites for being incompetent and remonstrating with the wrong people."

"Last month, the court decided on a list of officials to be worshipped in Jiashen year. Among them, Li Fengshen, a former doctor of the Ministry of Works, turned out to be the father of Li Wen, the deputy envoy of the Qing army."

"The late emperor died for his country, and all the ministers remained loyal. The court personally offered sacrifices to all the ministers, showing the world how glorious it is. How could the father of a traitor be among them?"

The cold voice continued to echo in the hall, and Li Wen's face suddenly turned pale.

Leng Sengji glanced at Chen Jiamo, who looked stern, and sneered in his heart. He immediately understood the intention of the Ming court.
It has been seven or eight days since their envoys arrived in Guangzhou. The Ming court officials did not impeach the envoys earlier or later, but chose to raise the matter when the envoys came to see the emperor. They just wanted to take the opportunity to give them a warning.

Leng Sengji was about to speak, but Gui Jianguo, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

"Is what Chen Jiamo said true?"

In the class below, Lu Daqi walked out of the class with a serious look and said in a deep voice
"When the Ministry of Rites finalized the list of ministers, the Qing people had not yet proposed peace talks"

"The Ministry of Rites learned of the list of the Qing envoys and asked them to recheck it. It has been confirmed that Li Fengshen, the former doctor of the Ministry of Works, is indeed the father of Li Wen, the deputy envoy of the Qing army."

"I am in charge of the Ministry of Rites. I was careless in not confirming the details of the ministers who will be worshipped in advance. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Lu Daqi bowed and confessed his guilt, but the Regent above spoke again.

“Who recommended Li Fengshen?”

In the train below, the ministers bowed their heads and looked at each other. There was silence in the hall for a moment, and then a middle-aged man in a green official robe suddenly walked out of the train.
In the delegation, Li Wen looked at the familiar man in front of her, but her face was panic-stricken and she wanted to flee the palace.
"I, the Minister of Rites, Fang Yizhi, come to see His Royal Highness the Regent. The former Minister of Works, Li Fengshen, was recommended by me."

"I knew Li Wen in the past, and learned about the Li family's situation from my relatives and friends a few years ago."

"After Li Chuang entered the capital, Li Fengshen, a former doctor of the Ministry of Works, was arrested and tortured by the rebels. Li Fengshen's limbs were broken, but he still refused to surrender and eventually died of his injuries."

"When I heard about this, I felt that Doctor Li had great integrity, and I also wanted to gain a reputation for loyalty and bravery for my old friend and teacher, so I recommended him to the court."

"But I never thought that Li Wen, this thief, would actually surrender to the enemy and betray his country. I didn't know how to judge people and almost insulted the officials of Jiashen. I am willing to be punished."

Li Wen looked at Fang Yizhi, who had a stern expression, but her face became more and more panicked.

Li Wen was famous for his poems and essays when he was young. Li Wen and Chen Zilong from Songjiang Prefecture were called the Six Sons of Yunjian. They were the most outstanding young scholars in Fushe at that time.

Fang Yizhi and Hou Fangyu were known as the Four Young Masters of Fushe in the past. They were also the best of Fushe. The two knew each other when they were young and had been friends for more than ten years.
After the Jiashen Rebellion, many Fushe scholars dispersed. Some died for their country, some lived in seclusion, some became monks, and some, like Li Wen, surrendered to the Qing Dynasty and lived in seclusion.
Li Wen hadn't heard from his old friend for a long time, but he never thought that he would meet Fang Yizhi again under such circumstances.
Li Wen looked pale, looking at Fang Yizhi kneeling on the ground, and was about to plead for mercy, but the censor Chen Jiamo beside him spoke in a cold voice

"Li Wen betrayed his loyalty and surrendered to the enemy, shamelessly. Although Li Fengshen had done righteous deeds, he is no longer fit to be honored. Fang Yizhi was an old acquaintance of Li the traitor, harbored selfish motives, and recommended the wrong person, which is an even greater crime."

"Your Highness, please revoke Li Fengshen's posthumous honors, dismiss Fang Yizhi from his post, and order officials to interrogate Fang Yizhi about his connections with the traitor Li."

All the ministers in the palace were stunned when they heard this. Chen Jiamo's intention was not only to hold Fang Yizhi accountable for this matter, but also to suspect that Fang Yizhi was secretly communicating with Li Wen and colluding with the Qing court.
The ministers looked at Chen Jiamo with a hint of fear in their eyes. These censors relied on their power to report on rumors and would bite back at any loophole they found, trying to stir up trouble and gain fame. It was really annoying.
Although the ministers were unhappy, no one dared to object at this time. Now the Qing envoys were standing in the hall. Who could guarantee that Fang Yizhi really had no contact with Li Wen?
All the ministers were silent, and all looked up at His Royal Highness the Regent. There was silence in the palace. After a while, a calm voice came from above.
"This is too much. Li Fengshen was the first to die for his loyalty. He is a good father and a bad son. Li Fengshen can do nothing about it."

"However, since this has happened, Li Fengshen is indeed not suitable for a high title. Li Fengshen will still be promoted to the position of Minister of Works, but he will be removed from the Temple of Virtuous and Good People and will not be allowed to accompany the Emperor Sizong in offering sacrifices."

"As for Fang Yizhi, although it is not wrong for him to be a teacher and friend, he recommended the wrong person. I will demote him to the second rank and make him the head of the Ministry of Rites. Do you have any opinion on this?"

When Li Wen heard this, she could no longer bear it and knelt on the ground, saying sadly:

"All the faults are my fault. I have brought disgrace upon my family and deserve death. However, Brother Mizhi did not know about my situation beforehand and has nothing to do with this matter. Please..."

Before Li Wen finished speaking, Fang Yizhi, who was standing beside her, looked angry and suddenly shouted:
"Li Shuzhang, stop being so pretentious."

"I recommended Minister Li because I admire his righteous deeds, not because of your shamelessness. I am smart but blind, and I made friends with a villain like you. I deserve it."

After Fang Yizhi finished speaking, he ignored Li Wen's dull expression and suddenly spoke loudly to the top.
"I was careless in choosing friends and failed to recognize the true face of the traitor, so I recommended the wrong person and brought disgrace to you. I am willing to accept the punishment."

After Fang Yizhi finished speaking, he kowtowed and confessed his guilt without any hesitation.

Leng Sengji looked at Li Wen, who was panicking on the ground, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Although he also loved to watch these Han people fighting each other, Li Wen was now the deputy envoy of the Qing Dynasty. How could Li Wen kneel down to the Ming emperor at this time?
Leng Sengji signaled to Luo Shi, and Luo Shi and others immediately stepped forward and forcibly pulled Li Wen up from the ground.

Li Wen was forcibly held by two Manchu envoys including Luo Shi, and the Regent finally looked at Li Wen.

"Li Wen, you are a minister of the Eastern Tartars. Even if you want to apologize, you should not come to me. Instead, you should go to the head of the Qing Tartars, Fulin. You don't have to kneel. Stand up."

Li Wen's face suddenly turned pale when she heard this. Even though Fang Yizhi had just scolded her angrily, Li Wen was only filled with pain and shame.
But when Li Wen heard the extremely polite words from His Royal Highness the Regent, she felt a deep sense of panic and despair.
His Royal Highness Gui Jianguo is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How can an emperor be polite to his subjects? If the emperor is polite to someone, it can only mean one thing, that is, this person is no longer a subject of the Ming Dynasty.
Li Wen stood there in despair. Zhu Lang glanced at Li Wen below and nodded slightly in his heart.
It seems that the judgment of the Secret Guards was quite accurate. This person may indeed be used by the court.

Li Wen was panic-stricken, which shows that this person still has a sense of shame and regret in his heart
If Li Wen was really calm and just treated it as a breeze, it would mean that she had completely rebelled and would never try to incite rebellion.

Although Zhu Lang thought Li Wen was useful, he looked indifferent and ignored Li Wen below.

Zhu Lang looked at Leng Sengji below and spoke again

"Who can make the decision among you Qing envoys?"

"I am the chief envoy of the diplomatic corps, and I am fully responsible for the peace talks between the two dynasties."

"In that case, let Li Wen go."

Leng Sengji's expression darkened when he heard this, and he said

"Vice Envoy Li is the deputy envoy of our Qing Dynasty delegation and must be present to participate in the peace talks."

Zhu Lang glanced at the cold monk below and said, "This person is an eyesore. I don't want to see him in the hall."

"If you force this person to be present, then there is no need for you to negotiate peace. Just take him back with you."

Leng Sengji's expression darkened and he said

"Your Majesty Gui, you are hindering the peace talks between the two countries based on the mood of one person. I'm afraid you can hardly be called wise for doing so."

"That is a major event in your Qing Dynasty. What does it have to do with my Ming Dynasty? My Ming Dynasty has never said that we want to negotiate peace with you Qing people."

"I don't want to waste my time talking to you. It's up to you to decide whether to stay or leave. Don't waste my time."

Leng Sengji's face was grim. This was the disadvantage of actively negotiating peace. Whoever spoke first would be at a disadvantage without being noticed.
Leng Sengji looked at Gui Jianguo who looked indifferent above him, hesitated for a moment, and finally did not dare to gamble, so he had to agree to let Li Wen leave first.

Several Jinyiwei in the hall came forward and quickly took Li Wen out of the hall.
In the side room of the hall, Li Wen sat at the table in a daze, and her mind kept replaying what had just happened in the hall. Her father's title was ruined because of her, and her old friend also turned against her.

Li Wen had a painful look on her face, and she sat at the table in a daze. After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly heard footsteps outside the door, and a figure suddenly stepped into the room.

Li Wen looked at the middle-aged man in Yunyan red robe at the door, with a look of astonishment on her face. She stood up from the chair and

Xu Fuyuan looked at Li Wen, who looked pale at the table, and said softly
"Brother Shu Zhang, do you still recognize my old friend?"

Li Wen, Xu Fuyuan, Chen Zilong and others founded the Jishe Society in the past, and discussed knowledge day and night. Li Wen and Xu Fuyuan and others were called the Six Sons of the Jishe Society in the Fushe Society, and their reputation spread throughout Jiangnan.
Xu Fuyuan and Li Wen not only co-founded several societies, but were also from Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture.

If Li Wen and Fang Yizhi are old friends, then Li Wen and Xu Fuyuan are close friends, a relationship in which one can truly trust one's life and property.

Xu Fuyuan looked at Li Wen, who looked dazed, and a complex expression flashed across his face.

Xu Fuyuan sat down next to Li Wen, took off his official hat and put it on the table, then he spoke

"If I remember correctly, we haven't seen each other for seven years."

"Yes, Brother An Gong gave me a farewell party in the village that year. I never thought that this separation would last for seven years."

Li Wen passed the imperial examination in 1642 and went to Beijing with his father in 1643. The capital was conquered by Li Zicheng in the second year after he arrived.

Afterwards, Li Fengshen died and the Qing Dynasty entered the country. Li Wen was recommended by Han officials who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty to serve in the Qing Dynasty because of his talent and reputation. Since then, Li Wen has never returned to Jiangnan.
Li Wen had mixed feelings in her heart. When they parted, they encouraged each other in their rags and vowed to restore the country.
Now, seven years later, they meet again, but things have changed. Xu Fuyuan is still wearing a high hat and a wide belt, but he has shaved his head and kept a queue, becoming a minister of the Qing Dynasty.
Xu Fuyuan met Fang Yizhi and Xu Fuyuan one after another today. He was about to ask about the situation of his old friends, but at this time Xu Fuyuan suddenly said

"We have known each other since we were young, but I never thought that one day we would meet like this"

"Hair untied, clothes in tatters, Shu Zhang, are Tartar officials really that good?"

Li Wen and Xu Fuyuan have been friends for decades. Li Wen saw Xu Fuyuan's close attitude just now and thought that Xu Fuyuan was different from others.
But after hearing what Xu Fuyuan said, Li Wen's face turned pale again.

Li Wen looked at Xu Fuyuan, who had a calm expression, with a painful look on her face, and said in a sad voice
"The rebels entered the capital, tortured and robbed all the officials. My father remained unyielding and died in a foreign land. The Qing army soon occupied the capital again."

"At that time, my father's coffin was exposed in the city, and my family members were also under the knife of the Qing army. I was the eldest son in the family. The Qing army threatened me with knives and axes and forced me to serve as an official. What could I do at that time?"

Xu Fuyuan looked at Li Wen, who was angry, but his face remained unmoved.

Xu Fuyuan was silent for a moment, then he said

"When the Qing army approached Jiangnan, Hou Yuzhan and Huang Jinyao knew it was impossible to do anything, but they still resolutely raised troops in Jiading. After the city was captured, the two hanged themselves and died for their country."

"Xia Yunyi and Chen Zilong raised an army in Songjiang. Songjiang was captured. Xia Yunyi bid farewell to his family and died facing the water."

"Chen Zilong hid in the south of the Yangtze River, and later raised armies several times, but was defeated several times. The Qing invaders searched for him day and night, but now it is unknown whether he is alive or dead."

"Mr. Shi Zhai knew that the situation was hopeless, but he still resolutely led his troops to the north, never regretting his fate, and ultimately died for his country in defeat."

"Even before them, people like Ni Yuanlu and Li Banghua died for their country, and their reputations shook the world. Even Zhu Datian, whom we despised in the past, set fire to the incense burner in Jinhua and died with the Qing invaders."

"Shu Zhang, do Mr. Shi Zhai and other teachers and friends have families?"

Li Wen listened to the names of those who died for their country and turned her head away in panic, but she did not dare to look at Xu Fuyuan again.

Li Wen understood what Xu Fuyuan meant. Although family was a reason, it could not be an excuse. Speaking of family, who among those who died for their loyalty did not have family?

Xu Fuyuan looked at Li Wen, who looked ashamed, and suddenly said in a deep voice
"Shu Zhang, you have been extremely intelligent since childhood. I don't need to tell you what the court is thinking."

"I just want to ask you one question now, are you willing to wash away the shame on your body for Ming Chen?"

How could Li Wen not know the intention of the court? First, Fang Yizhi was taken away alone, and then Xu Fuyuan appeared.

The moment Li Wen saw Xu Fuyuan, he actually understood the court's intention. The court obviously wanted him to return to the Ming Dynasty and serve the court.

But it was not so easy to make up one's mind. Songjiang had been occupied by the Qing court, and his wife, children and family were also in the Qing court.
Given the ruthlessness of the Tartars, if the truth is revealed, it will be a grave crime of genocide. How could Li Wen dare to agree?

The room fell into silence. Xu Fuyuan did not urge her. Li Wen had a struggling look on her face and did not respond for a long time.

There was silence in the room for a long time, but Xu Fuyuan suddenly said softly
"Shu Zhang, when we founded several societies, we hoped that the sages' unique knowledge would have a chance to revive."

"Now the mountains and rivers are broken, the Eastern barbarians have entered the pass, and the people are wailing. How can we revive the lost art and revive the country?"

"This is the handwritten note that His Royal Highness the Regent asked me to bring to you. Loyalty, treachery, virtue, and foolishness are all in a single thought. Please think carefully about it."

Xu Fuyuan placed an envelope on the table, and then, without paying any attention to Li Wen who had hurriedly stood up, he took the official hat on the table and walked out of the room.
Li Wen looked at Xu Fuyuan who disappeared outside the room and stood there in a daze for a long time before she picked up the envelope on the table.

Li Wen opened the envelope with trembling hands, and the handwriting inside was revealed.

“It is the greatest virtue to be able to correct one’s mistakes”

Li Wen looked at the eight characters on the letter and suddenly burst into tears. The crying sound continued to echo in the empty hall, but outside the hall there was always silence.

(End of this chapter)