The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 608 What I say goes

There was nothing wrong in the capital.

After Wanli returned to the capital, rumors suddenly began to spread.

If it were just a regular rumor, that would be fine.

These rumors are all about a plot to rebel!
Rumors spread that it seemed all the important officials in the court were plotting a rebellion.

This really startled the important officials in the court.

Before anyone could even process what was going on, new rumors started circulating.

Or rather, what's being spread this time isn't a rumor, but something that's already widely known.

After being dismissed from his post and returning to his hometown, Gu Xiancheng still didn't behave himself and even spread rumors and caused trouble. What was his intention?
Saying someone is spreading rumors and causing trouble might be a bit of an overstatement.

However, everyone already knows about this.

After Gu Xiancheng returned to his hometown, he did indeed continue to make outrageous remarks and criticize current affairs, but no one had thought about what he was up to before.

Now that this matter has been spread like this, it seems a bit off.

What exactly is Gu Xiancheng up to?

After being dismissed from their posts and sent back to their hometowns, most officials would simply retire peacefully.

This guy, after being dismissed and sent back to his hometown, still didn't behave himself. He even restored the Donglin Academy and invited other officials who had also been dismissed or demoted to spout nonsense, ostensibly to criticize current affairs.

Qingliu had a particular fondness for this, and Donglin quickly became the backbone and even the mainstay of Qingliu.

It seems there's some truth to the claim that some people are spreading rumors and labeling their outrageous behavior as "spreading rumors and causing trouble."

So why did Gu Xiancheng spread rumors and cause trouble?
This can be seen from the rapid rise of Donglin later on.

Gu Xiancheng's purpose in spreading rumors and causing trouble was actually to deceive the upright officials and make it easier for the Donglin Party to form cliques and pursue their own interests!
Once this rumor spread, many people saw through Donglin's true colors.

What about serving the country and the people? What about being the backbone of the "pure stream"? What about being the pillar of the "pure stream"? That's all just a way to fool the "pure stream"!

These guys are taking advantage of the "pure stream".

If the Donglin Party could use the "pure stream" (a term referring to a group of people who are upright and honest) to form cliques and pursue personal gain, why couldn't they also use it to plot wicked schemes?

The rumors were spreading more and more outrageous, and some people even began to suspect that the Donglin Party might actually be plotting a rebellion.

Donglin would naturally not admit defeat so easily.

They're still using those supposedly upright people they've misled to spread rumors.

Early on the third day, around 7 a.m., Luo Sigong came to the Imperial Study again to request an audience.

This time, however, he did not proactively report any situation.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, he stood there motionless, seemingly waiting for further instructions from Wanli.

What he meant was, now that Gu Xiancheng has finished criticizing, who will be the next target?
Seeing this, Wanli thought for a moment and then asked, "Did Li Sancai and Han Kuang do anything unusual last night?"

Luo Sigong slowly shook his head and said, "No, Your Majesty, they rested after dinner and did nothing."

How can these two guys possibly sleep?
Or rather, did these two guys think they could get away with pretending to be confused?
Pretending to be confused at this point is not very meaningful.

There's no point in Han Kuang and Li Sancai pretending to be confused anymore.

Then I won't pretend!
Wanli thought about it carefully, and then solemnly said, "You should know that the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou colluded with the remnants of the Zhejiang faction to instigate the rebellion in Chu, right?"

Of course I know that the Chu Fan Rebellion had nothing to do with the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou!

This was a contingency plan left by Shen Yiguan before his death; it was Zhou Yingzhi, a remnant of the Zhejiang faction, who instigated the rebellion in Chu.

However, by this time, Zhou Yingzhi, a remnant of the Zhejiang faction, had already had his entire family executed.

They could easily link this matter to the remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou, thereby drawing out the remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou, or letting everyone in the court know that the remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou are still stirring up trouble in secret.

Since there's no way to verify anything now that they're dead, whatever they say is true!
Upon hearing this, Luo Sigong pondered for a moment, then nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Wanli nodded slightly, then waved his hand and said, "Yes, Han Kuang and Li Sancai, keep a close eye on them and don't let them escape."

Luo Sigong quickly bowed and took his leave.

This time, Xiao Zhu Changxun unusually didn't ask any questions.

He seemed to understand, yet he also seemed not to understand.

He's probably pondering this over there right now.

Seeing this, Wanli simply announced loudly, "Summon Shen Li."

Soon, Shen Li strode in.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, Wanli solemnly asked, "Zhonghua, do you think Xinwu is still capable of holding office?"

Alas, his health is no longer up to par.

Shen Li shook his head helplessly and said, "Your Majesty, Xinwu's health is very poor now. He has to lie in bed for most of the day. If he gets up for too long, he will feel dizzy and lightheaded. He is unable to serve in office."

He also said that it wasn't good for His Majesty to keep staying at the Longevity Palace, and suggested that he be brought to the Emperor's residence to be taken care of.

Do you think I want to get rid of him?

Emperor Wanli shook his head slightly and said, "It would be more convenient for him to stay at the Wanshou Palace and Jianzhong Temple, where Physician Wan would take care of him. Let him stay there."

Since he can no longer hold office, then we should consider promoting Huifu to Minister of Rites; the position of Minister of Rites cannot remain vacant indefinitely. Oh, so that's what it's about.

The position of Minister of Rites cannot remain vacant indefinitely.

Shen Li nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Okay, that's all for you.

Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Shen Li quickly bowed and took his leave.

Wanli then announced loudly, "Summon Meng Yanghao."

Meng Yanghao has been extremely annoyed these past two days.

Those guys from the Donglin faction had the Qingliu faction spread rumors that he was plotting a rebellion.

When Wanli summoned him, he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding with fear.

Who isn't afraid of this?
Even the slightest connection could lead to utter ruin!
He rushed to the palace and hurriedly entered the imperial study.

After exchanging greetings with the emperor, he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, I did not plot a rebellion. It was the Donglin faction that spread rumors among the Qingliu faction."

You still know that it was the Donglin faction that had the Qingliu faction spread rumors?

This proves that you still have some influence within the "pure stream" (a term referring to the corrupt and conservative factions), otherwise those in power wouldn't have let you know.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli slowly nodded and said, "The Donglin faction is just forming cliques and plotting treason. They are trying to confuse the public and leave me bewildered."

"Rest assured, I trust you. Xinwu is no longer fit to serve in office. I intend to appoint Huifu to head the Ministry of Rites, and you should be promoted to Left Vice Minister. From now on, the affairs of the Ministry of Rites will require your continued support."

Not only is he fine, but he can also be promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites!

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanghao repeatedly bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I will do my best to help Lord Wu manage the Ministry of Rites well."

Hmm, here's some candy for you, but you'll have to do something for me.

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly, then solemnly said, "As you can see, the upright officials in the court are too easily manipulated."

The Donglin Party clearly had ulterior motives, yet they still helped the Donglin Party spread rumors everywhere. Is this what they call serving the country and the people?
These guys are out of their minds. If you're an honest official, then be an honest official. Why try to be a "pure official"? Does claiming to be a "pure official" mean you're serving the country and the people?
Those who are trying to trick them into becoming "pure" are just using them, and they don't even realize it.

"I have almost finished investigating this Donglin Party plot to rebel. Tell them to be careful, and those who don't want to be implicated shouldn't go around proclaiming themselves as virtuous."

I told Qingliu not to call himself Qingliu.
What does this mean?
I'm a breath of fresh air too.

This means dismantling Qingliu from within!

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanghao thought about it carefully and then nodded repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty understands. Your Majesty will teach them to be honest officials."

Well, I'm glad you understand.

I'm telling you to dismantle the "pure faction" from within; from now on, it's best if no one in the court calls themselves a "pure faction."

Upon hearing this, Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Soon, a new rumor began to circulate among the people.

The remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou colluded with the remnants of the Zhejiang faction to instigate a rebellion in the Chu region!

This startled many members of the Donglin and even Qingliu factions.

They all knew that Han Kuang was Yang Bo's grandson-in-law and Zhang Siwei's son-in-law.

If there are any remnants of the three great clans of Puzhou, then this guy is definitely a remnant of the three great clans of Puzhou!

They actually mingled with the remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou. Aren't they courting death?
That evening, Meng Yanghao summoned his men, the Qingliu faction, together and gave them a thorough lecture.

Immediately afterwards, these guys went to persuade their upright friends.

The gist of it is that the Donglin Party's plot to rebel is almost certainly true. You still call yourself a member of the "pure stream" and still follow the Donglin Party? Be careful not to be implicated as a rebel.

This time, the upright officials in the court truly began to waver.

They are not afraid of anything else.

Even if the current emperor is clearly unreasonable and wants to drag them away and behead them, they are not afraid.

They couldn't help but fear this plot to rebel.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, plotting a rebellion was punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

Who wants to be implicated as a traitor?
Many of those who claim to be "pure" were so frightened that they hurriedly told people, "Don't call me 'pure' anymore! I never said I was 'pure'!"

In Donglin, Chaoyang, everyone was living in fear.

This is a huge problem. The remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou are still causing trouble, and Han Kuang is one of them. They're actually hanging around with Han Kuang!
They were well aware of what the three powerful clans of Puzhou had done.

They were well aware of how the current emperor had dealt with the three powerful clans of Puzhou.

The three powerful clans of Puzhou are mortal enemies with the current emperor.

It seems the rumors circulating in the streets are not unfounded.

It is highly likely that the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou are plotting a rebellion!
Han Kuang is most likely trying to drag them down with him!

They actually hung out with Han Kuang!
Seeking death?
(End of this chapter)