The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 607 Is this a rumor?

The Donglin Party is plotting a rebellion!

When the rumors started circulating, Qingliu was instantly dumbfounded.

They regarded the Donglin Party as a pillar of integrity.

Or rather, they all believed that Donglin was the purest of the pure streams, and its leaders.

Rumors are now circulating that the Donglin Party is plotting a rebellion!

The Donglin faction was plotting a rebellion, and they considered the Donglin faction to be the leaders; weren't they accomplices?
When this rumor came out, how could they not be dumbfounded?

Didn't the Donglin Party always claim to be for the country and the people? How could they be plotting a rebellion?
Is this a rumor or true?

While Qingliu was still dumbfounded, Donglin was in an uproar.

When did they plot a rebellion?
That's pure rumor.

Who is so shameless?
These kinds of rumors are completely fabricated!
If we were talking about other things, it would be fine, but rebellion would mean the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

It's normal for people to smear each other and fight for power in the imperial court, but there's no way to wipe out someone's entire family like this.

How much hatred?

Chao Donglin was furious.

The problem is they have nowhere to vent their anger, because they have no idea who is spreading rumors.

At this moment, Li Sancai and Han Kuang were in a panic.

They're hiding something; something's clearly not right.

Who in the current imperial court would dare to cross the Donglin Party?

The Zhejiang Party, the old adversary of the Donglin Party, has already been dealt with, and the corrupt officials have been mostly purged. Newly promoted officials have no need to go against the Donglin Party, nor do they have the power to do so.

So why would someone suddenly spread rumors that the Donglin Party was plotting a rebellion?
They were well aware, of course, that the Donglin Party could not possibly be plotting a rebellion.

The only possible culprit behind this seemingly absurd rumor is them.

The actions of the three powerful clans of Puzhou behind them were tantamount to treason.

This rumor was very likely spread by someone appointed by the current emperor!

The current emperor most likely wants to get rid of them!
They need to quickly bind the Donglin Party and even the Qingliu Party to their cause.

That evening, just after dusk, Li Sancai summoned Donglin from the court to his residence.

The crowd gathered in Donglin and Chao, and the main hall of the Li family mansion was filled with the smell of gunpowder, as if it were about to explode at any moment from the lights.

It's obvious everyone's holding their breath.

Anyone who is inexplicably spread such rumors would be furious.

Are you kidding me? Plotting a rebellion? How can you just spout off something like that?

Who could be so utterly despicable as to do this?

Who could tolerate something like this?
Everyone was so angry they were practically steaming.

Seeing this, Li Sancai deliberately asked, "Has everyone heard that some people are deliberately spreading rumors that our Donglin faction is plotting a rebellion?"

He's just setting things on fire.

Sure enough, Zhang Wenda, who had the most fiery temper, immediately said in a gruff voice, "Who is so shameless? When did we plot a rebellion? To spread such rumors is despicable!"

His intentions are despicable.

The fire hasn't been lit yet.

Upon hearing this, Li Sancai secretly glanced at Han Kuang, who was at the end of the left hand.

Seeing this, Han Kuang pretended to be furious and said, "Public opinion can melt metal and slander can destroy bones. Someone is trying to frame us."

If rumors of our plot to rebel spread like wildfire, wouldn't everything become true? Even the emperor, upon hearing such things, would rather believe it than not.

That makes sense!

What is the emperor most afraid of?
That means someone is plotting a rebellion!
What would an emperor do if he heard such rumors?
They'll most likely kill indiscriminately to eliminate any potential threat!
The cases of Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu during the Hongwu reign are clear examples.

Did Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu really plot a rebellion?
There has never been any real evidence to support this claim.

However, the Hongwu Emperor didn't care and believed that Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu were plotting a rebellion. He arrested them and killed them all!
Many people even believe that the plot to rebel by Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu was deliberately orchestrated by the Hongwu Emperor.

Thinking of this, Ye Xianggao's previously fiery mind suddenly calmed down.

He also had a vague idea that this was very likely something the current emperor had deliberately orchestrated!

Because no one else has the need or reason to spread such rumors; only the current emperor needs them.

How could the current emperor possibly act like the Hongwu Emperor, slaughtering all the Donglin members as soon as he gets his hands on them!

How to do?
He has always been timid.

At this point, he was already considering retiring.

Others were not as timid as him.

After being incited by Han Kuang, the crowd finally got angry, and their voices grew increasingly rough.

Seeing this, Li Sancai raised his hand and said, "Everyone, please calm down. It's no use just talking here. The key is how to debunk this rumor."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately fell silent.

Yes, what's the point of just getting angry?
They need to debunk this rumor.

If they don't debunk this rumor and let it spread among the people, it will eventually arouse the emperor's alarm.

What will happen if the current emperor becomes alert?
They'll be lucky to survive, or at least suffer a severe injury!

The question is, how do we debunk this rumor?

Should he quickly submit a memorial to the throne saying that he did not plot a rebellion?

That's a fool.

Isn't this a reminder to the current emperor that some people are plotting a rebellion?
They're not that stupid.

The problem is that they can't think of a solution for the time being.

Everyone was taken aback, and they couldn't help but look at Li Sancai. Since he said that, he must have thought of a solution.

Seeing this, Li Sancai pretended to be confused and said, "Right now we don't even know who is spreading rumors, so it seems impossible for us to stop people from spreading rumors."

Aren't you talking nonsense?

Everyone was inexplicably impressed, their faces full of bewilderment.

Li Sancai deliberately took a breath before solemnly saying, "Now, the only thing we can do is to treat them the way they treat us."

What does this mean?
Everyone was puzzled upon hearing this.

Zhang Wenda couldn't help but ask, "Sir, we don't even know who is spreading these rumors, so how can we retaliate in kind?"

I guessed it, but I pretended not to know.

Li Sancai coaxed, "Whoever you think it is, that's who it is; the more the better."

Oh, I see.

This means to confuse the public.

Now, if someone spreads rumors that the Donglin faction is plotting a rebellion, the emperor might just arrest them and kill them all without a second thought.

If they spread rumors everywhere that this person is plotting a rebellion, or that person is plotting a rebellion, would the emperor still be able to ignore it and kill everyone he catches?
This is naturally impossible.

As a result, rumors began to fly all over the capital that very night.

It's as if everyone in the court with a bit of power is plotting a rebellion!

The next morning, around 7 a.m., just as Wanli Emperor arrived at the Imperial Study with Zhu Changxun and Song Yingxing, Luo Sigong came running to request an audience.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, Luo Sigong cautiously said, "Your Majesty, last night Donglin held another gathering at the residence of Li Sancai, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, during court proceedings."

They seemed to have gone all out this time; after the gathering, they went around visiting influential figures in the court.

Immediately afterwards, rumors spread like wildfire in the capital, saying that this person was plotting a rebellion and that person was plotting a rebellion, as if all the important officials in the court were secretly plotting one.

Li Sancai and Han Kuang were clearly panicked.

These two are trying to use the Donglin and Qingliu factions to spread rumors and make everyone in the court feel insecure.

It's one thing if some people in the Qingliu faction are stupid, but would the Donglin faction be that stupid?
The Donglin Party shouldn't be stupid, so why would these guys listen to Li Sancai and Han Kuang spreading rumors everywhere?
His order to spread rumors was actually a warning to the Donglin Party: those who knew what was good for them should resign and get out of there.

If you don't know your place, you might be the target of a conspiracy to rebel.

Clearly, the Donglin faction was unwilling to withdraw from the court.

These guys are spreading rumors everywhere to protect their own positions.

The Donglin faction should be dealt with; these guys are just trying to form cliques and seize power in the court!
Upon hearing this, Wanli nodded slowly and said, "It's alright, just let them spread rumors."

They have no real evidence, and spreading rumors is meaningless.

We have solid evidence; everyone knows that Gu Xiancheng spread rumors and caused trouble after being dismissed from his post and returning to his hometown.

Oh, so this means we should first take a jab at Gu Xiancheng.

Luo Sigong quickly bowed and said, "Your humble servant understands."

Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Luo Sigong quickly bowed and took his leave.

Just as Xiao Zhu Changxun was about to ask something, Grand Secretary Shen Li unexpectedly came to see him again.

This guy seems to be in a real hurry; he even forgot to bring his memorial to the throne.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, he said anxiously, "Your Majesty, rumors are flying everywhere in the capital."

At first, it was just a rumor that the Donglin Party was plotting a rebellion, but later the rumors multiplied, making it seem as if everyone was plotting a rebellion.

There are even rumors that I am plotting a rebellion. Everyone is terrified. If this continues, I'm afraid everyone in the court will be living in fear.

This was Li Sancai and Han Kuang's purpose.

They wanted to instill a sense of insecurity in everyone at court.

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly, then asked, "Zhonghua, are you really plotting a rebellion?"

what?
Upon hearing this, Shen Li shook his head repeatedly and said, "No, Your Majesty, how could I possibly be plotting a rebellion?"

Then why are you in such a hurry?

Emperor Wanli spread his hands and said, "Isn't that right? A rumor is a rumor. It has to be something I can believe. If I don't believe it, what's the point of the rumor?"

Yes, these rumors only have any effect if the Emperor believes them.

Would His Majesty believe I'm plotting a rebellion?
impossible.

Upon hearing this, Shen Li nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise; I was overthinking it."

You're overthinking it; there are many things you haven't considered.

Why did it start with just rumors of the Donglin Party plotting a rebellion, and then immediately turn into rumors of this party plotting a rebellion and that party plotting a rebellion?
You haven't considered this point.

Never mind, I won't talk to you about this.

It's better if you don't know.

Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Shen Li quickly bowed and took his leave.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun finally seized the opportunity to ask, "Father, what's going on with them? Why are they spreading rumors everywhere?"

Didn't you see that Shen Li was terrified?

Emperor Wanli patiently explained, "They spread rumors because they're afraid Father will take action."

If Father were to punish the Donglin faction based on rumors at this time, then everyone else rumored to be plotting a rebellion would live in fear. Do you understand?

Oh, that’s what it meant.

These guys are really cunning.

(End of this chapter)