ebookland Chapter 1393
Chapter 1393
Until Zhu Youwei's imperial carriage passed through Xuanwu Avenue, the most bustling street in the capital, several scholars dressed in the uniforms of Donglin Academy suddenly stood up and shouted.
The atmosphere on the entire street instantly became eerie.
"His Majesty!"
"It is widely rumored that His Majesty's heavy reliance on the treacherous minister Xu Shan has incurred the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people, leading to the barbarians and Tartars joining forces to invade the thousand-mile-long northern defense line."
"In order to whitewash the situation, they lied about the war situation, saying that the main force of the Tartars and barbarians had been defeated."
"In reality, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun in the north, including Shanxi Province, have fallen one after another."
"Uprisings are raging across the land. The masters of the Ming Dynasty are filled with utter hatred for the court!"
"Today's imperial mausoleum ceremony [Tianqi Sacrifice] is actually to appease the wrath of Heaven."
"Your Majesty, may I ask if this is true?"
'boom.'
When these reckless 'scholars' openly shouted these words, the vast Xuanwu Avenue erupted in uproar!
What they were "questioning" in public was exactly what was being widely rumored in the capital.
Aren't these people afraid of being beheaded for questioning others in public?
All of this sudden turn of events has thrown the entire Xuanwu Avenue into turmoil.
While they were whispering amongst themselves, shocked by these individuals, they belatedly realized what had happened when they saw their college uniforms.
Donglin College?
Isn't this the place where the Donglin Party previously 'discovered' elites and cultivated its loyalists?
This academy was destroyed by Xu Shan himself leading his troops.
Their crimes were so blatant that they had already been published in the "Zhenfusi Gazette" for several issues.
At this moment, they stepped forward and pointed their sharpest criticism at Duke Xu, who was fighting a bloody battle in the northern border...
That's utterly despicable!
Regardless of the circumstances, Xu Shan defied powerful forces and personally fought for his country. That's an indisputable fact!
Be warned, none of the widely circulated rumors have been verified yet.
Even if it's true, they still shed blood for the Ming Dynasty.
what about you?
He's only good at bullying others at home!
Today, he even questioned His Majesty in public.
This is just to prevent the world from being in chaos.
The people present were not fools or dullards.
Connecting this to the recent rumors that have suddenly surfaced, and considering their actions...
Some 'smart people' have already guessed that there must be aristocratic families behind this, stirring things up.
They deliberately smeared the imperial court and Duke Xu.
At this moment, Lin Ruohe and other representatives of the human races, who were standing in a pavilion on Xuanwu Avenue, looked at the indignant 'scholar' on the street, and their faces turned gloomy.
"Who, who arranged this?"
"Who arranged for them?"
“Originally, we could have subtly and quietly guided public opinion.”
"But their sudden appearance can give others the feeling that they are being deliberately manipulated."
"This is just being too clever for one's own good."
Lin Ruohe, who also saw through the trick, immediately questioned him with a ferocious expression.
Upon hearing this, the representatives of the gentry all replied, "We don't know."
"Third Master Lin, we won't act on our own initiative without your arrangement."
"How could I possibly make such a mistake at this crucial moment?"
"Ok?"
"Who could that be?"
"Could it be..."
As if struck by a thought, Lin Ruohe's expression grew increasingly sinister.
At this moment, the imperial guards accompanying the king drew their swords, intending to drive them away on the grounds of 'disturbing the imperial procession.' This only provoked even more radical questions from the scholars.
Even rumors circulating in the streets...
Everything that could be said and everything that couldn't be said was revealed.
After hearing this, Huang Chaojie maneuvered his horse closer to Qinglong and whispered, "Minister Xing, should we arrest him directly to avoid disturbing the Emperor's procession?"
After he finished speaking, Qinglong turned his head and first glanced at Huang Chaojie, then gave a meaningful look to Li Yuanfang and the others who remained unmoved.
Following his gaze, Huang Chaojie and Zhuque also subconsciously turned their heads.
When they saw that these people not only didn't intervene, but were also secretly gesturing and giving instructions to the "online trolls" in the crowd...
In an instant, I realized the truth!
"This, this is..."