The situation changed and Li Yi was imprisoned again.

After Zhuomai got the secret order, he waited quietly for Cao Minglei to leave.

Now that all the princes in the court are watching this case, Zhuomai also feels the pressure.

Cao Minglei quickly got the order, and he went to the capital cleanly without being kept in the dark. When he left Baoding Mansion, Zhuomai couldn't help but took action immediately.

He first led people to search some of the account books. These account books were found during the search of An Xin, and they happened to contain some information about the firearms transaction.

On the other hand, he asked Xue Lian to take people to the military camp to check the whereabouts of the firearms. After going back and forth, they matched up with the ledger.

In this way, all the evidence was completely complete, and even Zhuomai did not expect that it would go so smoothly.

After getting the evidence, Zhuomai hurriedly wrote a memorial and reported the matter to the court. But just when he was excited that a winner was in hand, Li Wensheng and Li Wensheng's memorials arrived in the capital one after another.

During this period, Chongzhen was still busy supplementing the affairs of his cabinet ministers, and was a little anxious.

After being tricked by Han Xu last time, the honeymoon period between Chongzhen and the Donglin Party finally came to an end. After Wei Zhongxian fell, the Donglin Party's intention to restrict imperial power and preside over the government was clearly revealed.

Just as the two sides were wrestling with each other, Chongzhen received Lu Changfeng's memorial.

At this time, the Donglin Party had also obtained the results it wanted.

At this time, another political struggle between the imperial power and the scholar-officials entered a critical moment.

They are all trying to use this case to establish their authority and accumulate enough prestige for the subsequent distribution of cabinet powers.

On this day, Zhou Yanru was in the duty hut in front of Huangji Gate. At this time, there were several officials eating and laughing in the duty hut.

Zhou Yanru is usually kind and polite to others, and he is very popular. They chatted about some interesting things while eating together.

Just after the clerk filled the rice and put it on the table, Han Xu, who was a little weak, pointed at the five dishes and two soups on the table with his chopsticks, and said to Zhou Yanru with a smile: "The food in this hotel is not as good as the imperial meal. Even the food outside

The wine shop is not as good as any other, and I don’t know how to make such a taste!”

Zhou Yanru said quickly: "If the elder is not used to the food, I will order someone to replace him."

Han Xu restrained his smile and said: "Yusheng is really a good young man. It would be great if Yusheng could abandon people who are hated by the old man."

Zhou Yanru said: "The elder Ge has a very high reputation in the court. He has to worry about major matters in the court. Naturally, these small things must be handled properly by his subordinates."

Han Xu looked at Zhou Yanru and said: "The jade rope is still like this, pretending to be confused."

Zhou Yanru laughed and said: "Mr. Ge, Xiaguan is really confused. Even the old wife at home said that Xiaguan becomes more confused as he gets older."

After hearing this, Han Xu smiled on his old face, stared at Zhou Yanru's face with cloudy eyes and said, "It's a good thing to be confused. As the old saying goes, it's rare to be confused, but sometimes you have to be clear-headed and see the situation clearly."

Zhou Yanru seemed not to hear the playful meaning, but still smiled and said: "That's what Mr. Ge said."

While chatting, a eunuch walked into the duty house and asked, "Is Minister Zhou here?"

Zhou Yanru stood up and said, "I'm here."

The eunuch said: "His Majesty has issued a decree, asking Shilang Zhou to go to Qianqing Palace to see you immediately!"

As soon as he said this, all the officials on duty in the house looked over.

You must know that Chongzhen rarely summoned officials privately, so they were all surprised and wondered why the emperor wanted Zhou Yanru to meet alone?

Now that the new emperor has only been on the throne for a year, everything is very sensitive. Everyone understands that Zhou Yanru has the qualifications to summon him alone. This is the rhythm of relying on his confidants.

Zhou Yanru was also a little surprised, but then a wry smile flashed across his face.

He knew that the emperor was in urgent need of support now, but summoning him directly in the duty house at this time was not just a matter of impatience, but he had to do it deliberately and show it to all the officials.

Alas, even though he has been on the throne for so long, the emperor still has such a young mind.

Zhou Yanru said: "Please allow me to take off my clothes."

The eunuch said: "My lord, please hurry up."

So Zhou Yanru went inside and changed into an official robe, and then followed the eunuch into the palace through the Huangji Gate.

Zhou Yanru waited for a while in front of the Qianqing Gate. This is the boundary between the outer court and the inner court. Generally, foreign ministers did not dare to enter without permission. After a while, the red lacquer doormen were pushed away by Si Yan, and Zhou Yanru and the eunuch came to the Qianqing Palace. Next to Dong Nuan Pavilion.

The eunuch said: "Your Majesty is having a meal. Mr. Zhou, please sit down."

Zhou Yanru sat down when a eunuch came in with tea.

After a while, Chongzhen walked in as soon as the door opened.

Zhou Yanru stood up and saluted. After Chongzhen nodded, he motioned for the left and right to step back, and then said to Zhou Yanru: "I am so anxious to invite Zhou Aiqing here, but I really want to discuss with you a few words from the bottom of my heart."

These words were very intimate. Even if Zhou Yanru had been in the officialdom for a long time, he was slightly moved when he suddenly heard the emperor say this.

Of course, after being moved, he couldn't help but sigh that the young emperor seemed to have gained more political experience.

Regarding the emperor's trust, Zhou Yanru was not happy, but rather worried. You must know that a qualified emperor would not say such words easily, and once he said it, it meant trouble. And Zhou Yanru was the most worried. Understand that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, which is both an opportunity and a risk.

Zhou Yanru bowed and said, "I wonder if your Majesty has any inquiries?"

Chongzhen hesitated for a moment, thought about it and said: "The case of Li Yi in Baoding involves a lot, and most of the ministers in the DPRK want to punish Xiao Xiao. But in my opinion, Baoding Mansion is the south gate of the capital. It’s important, and we still need to discuss this matter more.”

Speaking of this, Chongzhen felt a little relaxed and said: "I want to convene the cabinet and ministers to discuss and decide on the case. What do you think?"

Zhou Yanru raised his head, looked at Chongzhen's expression, and said: "Baoding involves too many things. We have to resettle the victims and investigate the case of the He family's assassination of Zhang Heng. Now there is another case of Li Yi. I think these three things are mutually exclusive." If the relationship is to be resolved, it must be dealt with together.”

This sentence is reasonable and reasonable, and Chongzhen also fully agrees with it.

He immediately said: "I also know that the three cases are closely related, but what the officials said and seen inevitably contradicts me, what should I do?"

After hearing this, Zhou Yanru immediately understood the emperor's thoughts.

He wanted to support himself and handle the three cases as quickly as possible, and handle them according to his ideas.

But now Qian Qianyi and his entourage are ready to take charge of the case. The emperor wants to compete with them, but he is overestimating his own capabilities. Even if he is added, it may not be enough.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yanru said: "Your Majesty, all ministers are ministers of the country and have worked hard for the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty is a benevolent king. You should open up your voice and be good at accepting advice."

Chongzhen looked a little unhappy after hearing this. He asked Zhou Yanru to come here to find a solution for him, not to teach him a lesson.

Having said this, Chongzhen sneered and said: "Actually, I understand from the bottom of my heart why the chief minister, Qian Qianyi and several ministers are supporting Zhuomai in handling this case. They all have their own plans. So, doesn't Zhou Aiqing?

Do you have your own plans?"
Chapter completed!