Zhao Yan passed through the personal guards, and then the personal guards gathered together and followed Zhao Yan out of the Palace of Supreme Harmony. A group of people soon became in Chongzhen's eyes when they were young.

Soon, Zhao Yan left the Forbidden City. He did not stay in the Forbidden City, nor did he arrange any troops there. Most of the troops were in the imperial city, and arrested soldiers from the Beijing camp in the inner city and maintained public order.

Only the Fourth Cavalry Battalion remained outside the city to guard against the attacks of the imperial reinforcements.

Zhao Yan brought the imperial edict to the General Staff, put the imperial edict on the table, and said to Mao Yuanyi and the others: "Come a few eunuchs and send the imperial edict out immediately."

"yes."

... Soon, the General Staff sent people to find dozens of eunuchs from the Forbidden City, and then explained the task clearly, and then sent out the imperial edicts one by one under the escort of the cavalry.

At the same time, Zhao Yan wrote two letters and quickly sent them out.

A letter was written to Yan Jizu and asked him to enter Beijing quickly.

A letter was written to Zhu Dadian, and at the same time he also prompted him to enter Beijing.

In addition, he issued an order, transferred 200 capable officials from Shandong, and transferred Li Jingyang, the head of the Shandong Military Court, and ten judges to Beijing.

Zhao Yan's actions are preparing for the formation of a cabinet.

The cabinet will allocate seats according to the party, with a total of 100 seats. The Supreme Dali Temple is held by Li Jingyang, the head of the Shandong Military Court of Zhao Yan.

The powers of military, politics and law were separated, while Zhao Yan controlled the military, politics and law at the same time. Even if Chongzhen retained the power of national defense and military, it would not pose a threat to him.

Politically, he planned to remotely control the cabinet by arranging cabinet members.

Legally, it is entirely composed of Shandong judges, not controlled by the monarch or cabinet, and not controlled by Zhao Yan in name, but these people were trained by him and naturally under his command.

In addition to the provisions in the Shandong Military Privileges Contract, Zhao Yan has the right to prosecute any political, economic, military, and criminal criminals. Therefore, only one person who doesn't like to be caught by Zhao Yan will die. In this corrupt era, there are so many things that an official has not accepted bribes? Which official has never eaten money in vain? Which salt merchant has never sold private salt? Which big Shanxi merchant has never traded with the Qing Dynasty?

At this time, Zhao Yan had already controlled the imperial city and the inner city, and Chongzhen was still in his hands.

"Lord, it is a critical period now. Our troops in the capital are still too weak. It is better to transfer 30,000 local warriors from Yingzhou into the capital. Everything will be done." Mao Yuanyi was still a little worried about the troops in the capital. If something big mess happens and there is not enough troops, it will cause big trouble.

"Well! Then transfer the 30,000 township heroes from Yingzhou to the capital!" Zhao Yan nodded. The 30,000 township heroes from Yingzhou are currently stationed in Longkou and can go north from Huanlu at any time.

Soon this order was sent out. The plan had reached a critical moment. Zhao Yan should indeed increase some troops in the capital to prevent changes in the current situation.

If you have troops in your hands, I have them all in the world.

Any resistance can be used to destroy their bodies with violence.

On the afternoon of August 19, the Second Battalion mobilized troops and began to sweep the outer city. The outer city had very weak resistance when the inner city and the imperial city were lost. Before dark, the Second Battalion had successfully controlled the outer city.

In the Beijing camp, the personnel from the Jinyiwei were arrested one by one and then locked up in the prisoner-of-war concentration camp. The education committees of several battalions were constantly providing ideological education to the prisoners in the prisoner-of-war camp.

The entire capital was under martial law, and the people's notices in the capital were everywhere, and cavalry patrolled the streets everywhere, but the people had gradually walked out of their homes.

The people in the capital found that Shandong soldiers entering the city were very reasonable. They did not loot or annihilate silver, and they would not hold the sheep on the streets and eat and drink for nothing.

When some people encounter difficulties, they will enthusiastically come forward to help. The people in the capital gradually became relieved. As for Zhao Yanqing's evaluation this time, under Zhao Yan's propaganda, the public opinion of the entire capital began to change.

The people in the capital all believed that the emperor had done too much, and the general fought with Jianlu in Liaodong and killed the Jianlu, which greatly damaged the Jianlu's vitality. The court actually wanted to make peace with Jianlu.

This is enough to kill Chongzhen.

Especially in the Northern Zhili area where the most severe ravages were caused by Jianzhe, there was no one who was not Jianzhe. After Zhao Yan's propaganda, public opinion gradually stood on the side of Zhao Yan.

But that's not enough.

In the General Staff, Zhao Yan was planning to create momentum for the constitutional monarchy that will not be long before. The way to create momentum is very simple, that is, to conduct demonstrations.

"Tomorrow, some education committees will take to the streets to provoke, and the parades must affect the entire capital." Zhao Yan said.

...The morning of August 19th!

The people in the outer city were quickly awakened by the noise on the street. When people opened the window door, they immediately saw a huge banner with the words: "Severely punish the traitor Yang Sichang, restrict the rights of the monarch, and separate the powers of the military, politics and law."

"Down with Yang Sichang and fight to the monarch's privilege."

"Down with Yang Sichang, defeat the monarch's privilege..."

A large group of people were crowded on the street, holding flags in their hands and shouting loudly. Looking at them, I don’t know how many people were, but the street was full of crowds and the momentum was very loud.

This group of people walked on the street, and people continued to join the team.

However, people did not understand the separation of powers by restricting the monarch's privileges, but the attack on Yang Sichang allowed many people to join in.

After Zhao Yan's publicity, the mastermind of peace talks was Yang Sichang. Many people hated Yang Sichang to the core, and as a result, the team continued to expand.

The team went from the outer city to the inner city and expanded again. When they arrived at the imperial city, at least tens of thousands of people joined the demonstration.

Of course, there are many people watching the fun.

Zhao Yan looked in the imperial city and smiled and said, "I'm doing a good job, I'll come to the palace to meet the saint."

"I'm cooperating outside." Mao Yuanyi said. Zhao Yan nodded, then set out to enter the palace.

At this time, a desolate atmosphere was filled with the Forbidden City. All the eunuchs and palace maids were listless. Zhao Yan entered the palace gate unimpededly and then headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

... Chongzhen discussed with Empress Zhou for a night in the palace. Empress Zhou was well-educated and said to Chongzhen: "Emperor, since Zhao Yan has controlled the imperial city, he has no way to touch the Forbidden City. He is still loyal to the Zhu family. If it were someone else, he would have rushed into the palace and put us under house arrest, or be the emperor himself, or use the emperor to command the princes, he would never have come up with a law like him."

"If the emperor signs the contract law, the rule of the Ming Dynasty will be carried out in the future by the cabinet. As long as the constitutional monarch is deeply enduring, the dynasty will change in the future, and the only thing that will be changed will be the cabinet, and the descendants of the Zhu family will be emperors for generations." Empress Zhou said to Chongzhen.

"What do women's families know? If I sign these contracts, then the cabinet will be controlled by this thief." Chongzhen said angrily. Empress Zhou was silent for a while and suddenly said to Chongzhen: "I said to myself that the emperor ascended the throne for ten years, but the situation in the Ming Dynasty became increasingly corrupt. If the emperor did not work hard to govern the country, the country had become corrupted to this point, and it was irreversible by ordinary methods. On the contrary, Zhao Yan implemented reforms in Shandong and vigorously settled the entire territory of Shandong. The whole territory of Shandong had been calmed down and the people were rich. Although this son was a military general, no one could match the Ming Dynasty's talent in governing the country. If he was in charge of the cabinet, the world could be stable."

"For this son, the emperor can only win over, not suppress him. This son can command troops, fight, and be good at governing the country and managing finances. If Your Majesty can win over him, everyone will be happy. If you suppress him, this son can fight and make money, and the court is no longer able to check and balance. This change is entirely due to the emperor's desire to balance Shandong." Empress Zhou patiently persuaded.

Chongzhen was silent, and he had to admit that he had taken a bad move. The reason for this was that Zhao Yan was too loyal and brave in the past, which made Chongzhen mistakenly believe that he was stupid and loyal.

With one move, Zhao Yan's core interests were violated, but Zhao Yan stopped buying it. What Chongzhen unexpectedly expected was that Zhao Yan's reaction was so fierce that he was called out at the banner of clearing the king's side.

Seeing that Chongzhen did not speak, Empress Zhou continued, "Apart from this son, this son did not deprive the royal military power. Even if the administrative power is lost, the emperor should carefully select talents and strengthen military power, and there will be a chance in the future."

Although Empress Zhou persuaded her so much, she didn't have any hope. The [***] of the various officials from the Ming Dynasty was well known to everyone. If she wanted to take back the administrative power from the cabinet, she had to defeat Zhao Yan's Shandong Army first.

However, this is almost impossible. Jianlu was beaten by the Shandong army. On the other hand, the various official troops were beaten by the Jianlu.

This gap can be seen at a glance. Although Empress Zhou does not talk about political affairs, she still has this understanding.

Chongzhen also knew in his heart that he could no longer sign these contracts or not at this time. There was still a glimmer of hope after signing. If he didn't sign, Zhao Yan would probably use extreme methods to deal with him.

But Chongzhen was still unwilling to accept it.

This is his country and his world. If he cannot participate in governance, what is he still the emperor?

...Zhao Yanlai brought people outside the Qianqing Palace. Chongzhen, Empress Zhou, Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun walked out. Zhao Yan bowed and asked directly: "I wonder how your Majesty is thinking?"

Chongzhen didn't say anything for a long time. Queen Zhou looked at it and said, "It depends on the general."

Who is this?

Zhao Yan looked at the beauty in front of him and thought for a while. After thinking for a while, he felt that this woman might be Empress Zhou. If it were Concubine Tian, ​​it would be impossible for him to speak for Chongzhen.

When Chongzhen saw that Empress Zhou had spoken, he was embarrassed to remain silent, so as not to make people feel that he was weak and incompetent, so he said, "I have read it all. I have no objection to most of the content of the agreement, but I have no objection to some of the content."

"If your Majesty has any objection, you can point out that it will be revised after discussion between the monarch and his ministers." Zhao Yan said in accordance with Chongzhen's words.

"This matter is, Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun, you two will discuss with Zhao Aiqing!" Chongzhen left a sentence, then turned around and walked back to the bedroom.

"Yes, the emperor." Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun responded.

"Please please, General Zhao." Cao Huachun made a gesture of invitation to Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan nodded, and then followed Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun to leave the Ganqing Palace with his men.

... Soon, both sides sat down, Zhao Yan brought a few staff officers, Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun brought a few eunuchs, and the two sides started negotiations on the Constitutional Law and the Shandong Military Privileges Contract.

Mao Yuanyi's appearance shocked Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun, but they quickly returned to peace. It was no longer the time to care about these things.

"The emperor agrees with constitutionalism, but the royal expenditure of 1 million taels is too small." Wang Chengen said, pointing to Article 2 of the Constitutional Law of the Bingzi Year.

"One million taels a year may not be used up!" Zhao Yan said calmly: "Besides, if it is not enough, the staff in the palace can be cut off, and the expenses will naturally be reduced."

"In addition to intra-city expenses, the royal family also needs to spend." Cao Huachun said.

"The royal family does not need to worry about the two father-in-laws. Those vassal kings all have tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, so they will not care about the court's wealth. As for other royal families, they can open up industrial, commercial, and farmers to make them self-reliant." Mao Yuanyi said.

"The law of ancestors is unchangeable." Wang Chengen said.

"It is entirely because the laws of the ancestors of each dynasty remain unchanged. The strength of the Han and Tang dynasties was ultimately a passing cloud. All laws and regulations must comply with the actual situation." Mao Yuanyi retorted this.

"1 million taels are too small, so some must be added." Wang Chengen insisted.

"Okay, add another 100,000 taels." Zhao Yan said cheerfully.

"1 million taels." Cao Huachun looked at Zhao Yan and opened his mouth and said, "Since you don't want 100,000 taels, you don't need to add it, the next one."

Zhao Yan's direct change made Cao Huachun slam the table in anger, but Zhao Yan was not in a hurry. He and Mao Yuanyi and several other staff officers sat there calmly.

Because Cao Huachun and Wang Chengen disagreed, the negotiations had to be temporarily terminated, and the two sides began to argue with each other and could not reach an agreement.

"Dad father-in-law, it's bad, it's bad, the people outside the city are rioting." Suddenly a small eunuch ran in and reported. Cao Huachun and Wang Chengen were shocked and stood up and asked, "What?"

"Two father-in-law, why not go to the top of the city?" Zhao Yan said to them with a smile.

"Let's go..." Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun couldn't sit still. They hurriedly ran out. After a while, they came to the city wall.

Looking down from the city wall, I saw a large group of people below shouting loudly under the Forbidden City.

"Defeat Yang Sichang, severely punish traitors, restrict the monarch's rights, and implement the separation of powers." The people shouted loudly, with great momentum.

These people were all blocked by the Shandong army outside the palace gate, and there were only a few hundred soldiers in the Forbidden City. If these people were brought into the palace, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun trembled with their legs when they saw them.
To be continued...